Politics

Harsh Press for Hillary Clinton in China

She says U.S. is not taking position on South Seas disputes

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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton arrived here on Tuesday night to a barrage of unusually harsh coverage in China's official news media over what they called American meddling in territorial disputes in the region — and then a strikingly warm welcome from the country's foreign minister.

The contrasting receptions — both official, though in different ways — underscored a complicated and often fraught relationship that both countries nevertheless appear intent to maintain despite serious differences over foreign policy, trade and human rights.