While Vogel praised Zhu as a "very effective communicator," he said that his equivocal responses on human rights concerns, including the recent sentencing of political dissident Xu Wenli, are indicative of internal political pressure.

"In answering those questions, he has to answer to the political right at home. I think those answers have been less than satisfactory for Americans," Vogel said.

Although the most visible demonstrators were human rights protestors burning several Chinese flags, most at yesterday's speech welcomed the premier.

Lin Liu, a senior at Tufts University originally from Beijing, said he supported his country by waving two flags, Chinese and American.

Liu was part of the Tufts Association for Chinese Students, which sent 40 students to the rally.

Just a few feet away, Sonam Palder, a native of Tibet, wore a bright yellow vest proclaiming " China Out of Tibet" as he wove the Tibetan flag.

In 1956, the Chinese Army killed Palder's grandmother, grandfather and his aunt, Palder said. He fled Tibet in 1959 to India while his father was still in prison.