Skip to: Content
Skip to: Site Navigation
Skip to: Search

July 24, 2008 9:16:15 AM CDT

Learn about Newser Points »

« Back to the grid | Next story »

A Few Words of Mandarin Go Far in Sydney

Posted Sep 7, 07 11:00 AM CDT in World 

(Newser) – The man tipped to be Australia's next prime minister has scored a major diplomatic coup at this week's APEC summit in Sydney, upstaging PM John Howard. Opposition leader Kevin Rudd spoke to delegates in fluent Mandarin and so impressed Hu Jintao that the Chinese president issued a personal invitation to the Beijing Olympics, The Age reports.

Rudd's fluency in Mandarin, developed during his time as a diplomat, has attracted attention in both Australia and China. The private meeting with Hu strengthens the sense that he is now PM-in-waiting: His Labor Party is on course for a crushing victory in upcoming elections, which Howard might be forced to call as early as next week.

Source Age (Aust.)

0 comments | Print E-mail | Digg Seed this on Newsvine Add this link to Del.icio.us StumbleUpon

Related Newser Stories

  • Australia Spirits Away Torch Ahead of Relay

    Apr 23, 08 10:12 AM CDT
    Australia Spirits Away Torch Ahead of Relay The Olympic torch arrived Down Under today, but was immediately whisked off to a secret location to avoid protesters, the AP reports. Tomorrow’s torch relay in Canberra will be open to the public—unlike those in Jakarta and New Delhi—but the route will be lined with yard-high fences and police.  More »

  • Australia To Pull Troops From Iraq

    Dec 1, 07 9:56 AM CST
    Australia To Pull Troops From Iraq Australia’s new leader says the nation's combat troops will be out of Iraq by mid-2008, the Guardian reports. Kevin Rudd will make good on a campaign promise to pull out troops, a move that marks a sharp shift from the polices of his predecessor, John Howard, a key Bush ally. Rudd will meet the US ambassador soon to discuss the pullout. More »

  • Rudd Inherits Red-Hot Economy

    Nov 26, 07 2:57 PM CST
    Rudd Inherits Red-Hot Economy New Aussie PM Kevin Rudd inherits a booming economy, but that doesn't mean it's going to be an easy ride for his center-left government, the Wall Street Journal warns. Demand for Australia's natural resources is feverish and inflation is already uncomfortably high. Rudd has vowed to pump about $48 billion into benefits and tax cuts for Australians, which could seriously overheat the already torrid economy. More »

  • Labor Takes Australian Elections

    Nov 24, 07 5:30 AM CST
    Labor Takes Australian Elections Former Diplomat Kevin Rudd is poised to become Australia's new prime minister after his Labor Party claimed victory in yesterday's elections. Labor expects to take at least 83 of the 150 seats in Parliament, Reuters reports. Meanwhile, current PM John Howard faces the possibility of losing his own seat in Sydney. More »

  • Polls Predict Rout for Australian PM

    Nov 21, 07 8:30 PM CST
    Polls Predict Rout for Australian PM Australians elect a new government this Saturday, and polls foresee the fall of John Howard, the once-invincible prime minister who has served for 11 years. Kevin Rudd, the Labor Party leader 20 years Howard's junior, has promised to withdraw Australian troops from Iraq and to "shift up a gear" as the Australian economic miracle recedes. With days to go, Howard continues to warn that a Labor win would slow the country's economic boom. More »

Chinese President Hu Jintao, right, talks with Australia's main opposition Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd in Sydney Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, ahead of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders'...   (Associated Press)
Chinese President Hu Jintao, left, meets with Australia's main opposition Labor Party leader Kevin Rudd in Sydney Friday, Sept. 7, 2007, ahead of the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) leaders'...   (Associated Press)
« Prev« Prev | Next »Next » Slideshow
Kevin Rudd Speaking Mandarin   (evergreen8889 (YouTube))

« Prev « Prev  |  Next » Next »
Our editors also recommend:

Threads (1 of 2)

Tags

2008 Beijing Olympics  • Australia  • Olympic Games  • Hu Jintao  • Kevin Rudd  • John Howard


Loading...

Loading...

Today's Most Popular


Other World Stories

What is Newser?

2008 Codie Finalist

Newser gives you more news in less time. We search for the best and most important stories all over the web, read them for you, and deliver concise and sharp summaries—along with links to the full text. Newser provides a way to stay on top of an ever-expanding horizon of news and opinion—politics, sports, business, trends, technology, personalities, crimes, and controversies. Newser keeps you not just better informed, but, with our signature graphic interface and smart condensed format, more enjoyably informed.

Learn more »