"She asked me whether I am optimistic about China-US relations. I replied, I am," added an undergraduate in international relations who chatted with Clinton at the event.

Clinton attended a service at Haidian Christian Church in Beijing yesterday morning before wrapping up her 40-hour visit to the capital by talking with readers in an exclusive live webchat broadcast on the China Daily website.

"By exercising public diplomacy she is attempting to restore an American image tarnished by the war on terror," added Pang, who referred to Clinton's visit to Indonesia, which has the largest Muslim population in the world, as an example.

While there, the former First Lady walked through a poverty-stricken neighborhood in the capital Jakarta to visit development projects funded by Washington. They include water purification and recycling schemes, as well as health projects for mothers and children. "I want to listen to the voices of the people as well," she said.  

US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton (4th L) visits the Beijing Taiyanggong Gas-fueled Thermal Power Co., Ltd. (Taiyanggong Power Plant) of the Beijing Energy Investment Co., Ltd. in Beijing, capital of China, Feb. 21, 2009. [Xing Guangli/Xinhua]

(China Daily February 23, 2009)