LIAN PEK, CNN ANCHOR: The strain in relation between China and the United States appears to be easing. Recent frictions, including a dispute over detained U.S. scholars had hampered Beijing-Washington relations. But top U.S. senators visiting China are confirming and welcoming a warm reception by their host. CNN's Jaime Florcruz reports.</s>JAIME FLORCRUZ, BEIJING BUREAU CHIEF (voice-over): They pumped the flesh, handed out Popsicles, got blessed by the village priest, and cuddled babies.</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: Tell her this is what politicians in America do.</s>FLORCRUZ: Senate Former Affairs Committee Chairman Joseph Biden and a group of visiting senators talk to their Chinese host as much about America as they got a glimpse of Chinese life. In yet another sign of smoothing ties between the United States and China, Beijing's top leaders warmly greeted the powerful senators from Washington. Meetings with President Jiang Zemin, the premier, and even the defense minister -- a red carpet reception reserved fort heads of state. To think that only four months ago the two sides were close to a bloody fight, when a U.S. spy plane collided with a Chinese fighter jet. Amazingly, the mid-air collision issue hardly came up.</s>SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN (D), DELAWARE: The subliminal message that came across from highest levels of this government is we want to get this relationship back on track. That's very important to us.</s>FLORCRUZ: Visiting a suburban Beijing village, Biden and his colleagues got a unique perspective on how much rMDNM_China changed and how far it has to go.</s>BIDEN: I think to appreciate the amount of development that is still required to raise the standard of living for the people in this country would put in perspective some of the actions of the Chinese government.</s>FLORCRUZ (on camera): Smiles and handshakes aside, the senators pressed China on human rights and proliferation of missile and nuclear technology, irritants that are not going away anytime soon. Jaime Florcruz, CNN, Beijing.
U.S. Senators Find Warm Reception in China