Four days before President Clinton fielded questions on a Shanghai radio-talk show during his historic visit to China, Harvard President Neil L. Rudenstine left his mark on this port town, the largest city in the world's most populous nation.

Rudenstine spoke about his plans for future relations with the Asian nation at a June 26 reception attended by about 60 alumni and Harvard donors, most of whom are scholars and professionals from across China.

The Harvard Alumni Association in Shanghai held the reception at a local hotel and presented Rudenstine with the sculpture of a smiling Buddha. Harvard translated into Chinese means, literally, "happy Buddha."

At the reception, Rudenstine said the main goal of his visit, beyond furthering his own cultural education, is to promote intellectual exchange and cooperation between Harvard and academic institutions in Asia.

Between that trip and an earlier visit during Spring Break, Rudenstine visited about 10 Chinese universities, discussing the potential for increased academic relations between the schools and Harvard.

Harvard spokesperson Alex Huppe added that Rudenstine's trip was not strictly academic in scope. It was also aimed at wooing potential donors to Harvard's $2.1 billion capital campaign, due to be completed by 1999.