Thirty years to the day after President Nixon’s historic visit to China, President George W. Bush is scheduled to arrive in Beijing this evening to visit with Chinese President Jiang Zemin.

The relationship between the two leaders got off to a rocky start last year, when the Chinese downed a U.S. spy plane and detained the 24 crew members for 11 days. Bush later vowed to defend Taiwan in the case of an attack by China, and then further angered the Chinese government by meeting with the Dalai Lama last May.

But September 11th has helped to unite the two world powers against a common enemy: militant Islam. This hour, we examine the state of U.S.-China relations. Plus a look at China’s strange stance, between capitalism and communism. Some say, the Chinese people are left with worst of both.

Guests:

Robert Ross, professor of political science at Boston University, and expert in US-Sino Relations

Jiang Xueqin, writer for the Christian Science Monitor, the Chronicle of Higher Education, and the Far Eastern Economic Review

Dru C. Gladney, University of Hawaii, Expert in Chinese ethnic minorities