This thesis examined ways in which eight Chinese leaders' state visits to the United States have been portrayed in terms of coverage and news framing in The New York Times, The Washington Post, Time, and Newsweek. This study included content analysis of both text and photos. It was expected that the content would match the underlying political and economic situations. However, results show coverage does not always fit into economic and political categories. Exceptions occurred when unexpected incidents took place such as protests in the Tiananmen Square Incident. Generally, text coverage was balanced, with positive and negative items in most stories. Photos tended to be more positive than text as a result of planned news photo opportunities to present the welcoming moments to visiting leaders. The New York Times had the greatest volume of coverage.