Dharamsala, September 9 – The United States dismissed reports by Chinese media that the Chinese flag will be hoisted on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on September 20 as part of celebration of the 60th anniversary of the People’s Republic of China.
China Daily, citing other media reports, claimed the president of the Fujian Association of the United States,Chen Ronghua, had been granted permission to hoist the flag “in a ceremony in front of the President’s residence.” Chen, according to China Daily told reporters that their application was approved not only because of the “sound Sino-US relations but also because China is a responsible country.”
A ceremony, indeed, will take place. But it won’t happen on the White House grounds — rather, on the Ellipse, on the other side of E Street from the presidential residence.
Demonstrations by foreign groups on the Ellipse or in Lafayette Park, in front of the White House, are not uncommon. But foreign flags are only flown on the White House grounds or on Pennsylvania Avenue to mark “state” or “official” visits of the countries’ leaders.
