THE US Secretary of State hoped for a smooth transition of power in China following the death of Deng Xiaoping yesterday.
Speaking after a meeting with the British Foreign Secretary, Mr Malcolm Rifkind, Ms Madeleine Albright paid tribute to the Chinese leader, describing him as an "historic figure" and experienced America's condolences to his family and the Chinese people.
"For the United States Deng Xiaoping played the role in normalising US Chinese relations. I think it is very difficult to comment now on the issues, but it would be a great advantage to the Chinese if there was a smooth transition," she said.
Recalling the massacre in Tiananmen Square in 1989, Ms Albright acknowledged that for many people "it will be a mixed remembrance".
"The Tiananmen Square actions were very troublesome to everyone who has followed human rights in China but also one has to see him as an historic figure who opened China up," she added.
Although Ms Albright was due to visit China as part of her 110 day tour of nine countries, she said her officials were in contact with the Chinese authorities to discover whether it should still go ahead.
But Ms Albright said America wanted a "multi faceted" relationship with China which would develop into the 21st century and could help US relations with North Korea and Cambodia.
"It is important to be able to deal with China across the board," she added.
Mr Rifkind paid tribute to Deng Xiaoping's economic and political reforms which he stated had been stalled over recent years because of the Chinese leader's poor health. "We hope that here will only be a short period of uncertainty and that the political reforms will now gather speed" he added.
As Britain's primary concern was for Hong Kong, Mr Rifkind said the more open China became the more confident Britain could be that people's freedom and rights on the colony would be respected after the July handover.
After describing her discussions with Mr Rifkind as "remarkable", Ms Albright emphasised that America's relationship with Britain was "indeed special", particularly as both countries agreed on so many issues.
Outlining the subjects under discussion, Mr Rifkind said they had discussed NATO's enlargement and the importance of developing an "excellent relationship" between NATO and Russia. In addition they had reviewed the situation in Bosnia, examined the progress in the Middle East, discussed the "challenge of Cyprus to the international community, and the future of Hong Kong.
Turning to her visit to Moscow today, Ms Albright said its purpose was to reassure the Russians about NATO's enlargement to stress it was a "positive" move which would create a "new sense of stability".
"Generally I will be making it clear to them that they are respected members of the international community," she added.
On the Middle East, Ms Albright urged Israel and the Palestinians to restart the talks and pledged that America would "continue to be an honest broker".
But she also pointed out that the deployment of additional troops around Jerusalem was "not helpful" and would not ease tension in the area.