President Jiang Zemin's journey across America--which includes Saturday's speech at Harvard--has taken him on a tour through the birthplaces of American democracy, from Williamsburg, Virginia's colonial capital, to Philadelphia's Liberty Bell. * The Chinese government insisted on establishing Jiang's itinerary, intentionally giving it an aura of Americana to showcase the Communist leader in places reminiscent of American patriotism. The Chinese also demanded that the United States accord Jiang the highest state and military honors, as a state visitor of the top rank. * Jiang's eight-day trip began at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, last Sunday and will, when it ends next Sunday, have taken him on a tour of seven cities: Honolulu, Williamsburg, Washington, Philadelphia, New York, Boston and Los Angeles.

Sunday

Before leaving Beijing, Jiang held a press conference with foreign reporters, a rare event in China.

After a 10-hour flight from Beijing, Jiang's jet landed at Hickham Air Base in Hawaii, where the Japanese surprise attack in 1941 catapulted the United States into World War II. At Hickham, Jiang received the military 21-gun salute given to official state visitora.

Soon after his arrival, Jiang laid a wreath of white carnations at the Pearl Harbor memorial for soldiers killed in the Japanese attack. His first day ended with a formal dinner at the residence of Hawaii's Governor Benjamin Cayetano.

Monday

Wearing black swim goggles and a pink and white bathing cap, Jiang took Waikiki Beach swimmers by surprise as he led his party into the surf and swam the breaststroke for an hour.

Observers of the Chinese scene speculated that Jiang's swim was designed not only to make him appear more charismatic to Americans but also to reassure the Chinese that he remains vigorous. Rumors spread last summer that he had suffered a heart attack after he appeared pallid at the ceremonies for the hand-over of Hong Kong to China.

In another youthful move, Jiang danced the hula with 100 Hawaiian school children. Later Monday, Jiang arrived at Langley Air Force Base outside Washington, D.C., and drove in a motorcade to Williamsburg, Virginia.

Tuesday

In Colonial Williamsburg, Jiang posed for photographs wearing the three-cornered hat of American colonial times and met actors portraying Thomas Jefferson and Patrick Henry. In a sudden change of plans, Gov. George F. Allen of Virginia decided to spend Tuesday morning campaigning for his successor and his wife attended a formal lunch for Jiang in his place.

From Williamsburg, Jiang traveled to Washington, D.C. Secretary of State Madeleine K. Albright greeted him at the Blair House, the residence opposite the White House reserved for the highest state visitors.

Clinton met privately with Jiang Tuesday night in the Yellow Oval Room of the White House. Albright and National Security Advisor Samuel R. Berger were also in attendance. They agreed to establish a round-the-clock telephone connection between the White House and Beijing, similar to the infamous Hot Line with Moscow.

Wednesday

Wednesday morning Clinton formally welcomed Jiang in ceremonies on the South Lawn of the White House, after which the two men held a formal, 90 minute meeting in the Oval Office.