President Hu would rather be drinking Starbucks coffee

Chinese president makes comments at dinner hosted by Bill Gates.

MEDINA, Wash. (Reuters) - Less than 24 hours into his visit to Seattle, Chinese President Hu Jintao was already serving as a promoter for the city's homegrown Starbucks Corp.

Speaking to business executives, politicians and other dignitaries during a dinner Tuesday at the home of Microsoft Chairman Bill Gates, Hu expressed his desire to be a regular at the ubiquitous coffee-store chain.

"Starbucks coffee shops have mushroomed in China's cities," said the Chinese leader through a translator.

"If I were not serving in this office, I would certainly prefer to go into one of the coffee shops run by Starbucks," said the usually reserved Hu, drawing laughter from the crowd, which included Starbucks Chairman Howard Schultz.

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