Word to the wise on organising a Chinese leader’s US visit

Let me begin by wishing those planning Chinese President Xi Jinping’s state visit to the US on September 24 the best of luck, something I didn’t have in 2006, when president George W. Bush invited president Hu Jintao to the White House. After you read this, you may wonder how I was able to keep my job. All I can say is, Bush was a very forgiving boss. This story begins in January 2006. I had just been elevated from China director to acting special assistant to the president and senior director...