Luck sought for U.S. Beijing embassy

BEIJING, Aug. 7 (UPI) -- U.S. President George Bush is looking for a bit of luck in opening the new U.S. embassy compound in Beijing -- going there at precisely 8:08 a.m. on Aug. 8.

White House spokeswoman Dana Perino said Thursday the number eight is considered the luckiest in Chinese tradition.

During the daily press briefing, Perino, en route from Thailand to Beijing aboard Air Force One, said the new compound would house more than 20 U.S. government agencies when it opens Friday.

Among those slated to attend the dedication are Bush's father, former President George H.W. Bush, and former U.S. Secretary of State Henry Kissinger, the architect of ping-pong diplomacy. The Gatlin Brothers were scheduled to perform.

Bush arrived in Beijing Thursday after expressing criticism of China's human rights policies in Thailand.