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A Few Words of Mandarin Go Far in Sydney

Opposition leader upstages hosts, score huge points with Chinese at summit

By Jason Farago, Newser Staff

Posted Sep 7, 2007 11:00 AM CDT

(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.

[Images (2)]

[Videos (1)]

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)

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A Few Words of Mandarin Go Far in Sydney