Clinton offered US$2 million to represent a small Chinese clothing firm
( 2003-11-13 14:27) (Agencies)
A small clothing manufacturer
in eastern China says it hopes to sign the former US president to represent its
brand, citing his``worldwide charisma.'
 ``Our suits match Clinton's character and personality,''
saidWang Zhen, an official at Fapai Xifu Co., in a telephone interview Thursday.
The company, whose name translates as ``French-style suitcompany,'' bills
itself as China's 17th-largest clothing maker andis located in the low-cost
manufacturing hub of Wenzhou, south ofShanghai.
It has offered Clinton US$2 million to be its spokesmodel andsent repeated
e-mails to the White House _ where Clinton no longerlives _ to make its case.
The company hopes to enlist Clinton as soon as next year.``Whether Clinton
has enough attractiveness is difficult to sayright now, so we are still
negotiating,'' said company presidentPeng Xing, quoted by the Beijing Morning
Post.Clinton was in Beijing this week to promote the fight againstAIDS. He
didn't travel to Wenzhou, but the company said it sent hima suit, tie, shirt and
shoes in hopes he will one day visit itsfactory dressed in its attire.
A Clinton press aide, reached by telephone hours before theformer president
left Beijing, said he had no knowledge of any dealwith the firm.
Most of Fapai Xifu Co.'s suits are sold in China, Wang said. ``In2000 we were
trying to export clothes and wanted to choose a figurewith worldwide charisma,''
to represent the firm, he added.The company sells 1.3 billion yuan (US$157
million) in suits ayear, each priced between 3,000 yuan and 8,000 yuan (US$360
toUS$960), he said.
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