Shanghai ? U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, long a fierce critic of Beijing, toured China’s financial capital on Monday on a visit focused on environmental issues rather than human rights, though her presence emboldened protesters.

Pelosi took a low-key approach as she prepared for meetings in Beijing just days ahead of the 20th anniversary of the 1989 crackdown on the Tiananmen Square democracy protests.

The apparent shift approach dovetails with President Barack Obama’s new emphasis on engagement with Beijing, rather than confrontation over its human rights record. Visits by Pelosi and other senior U.S. figures have been aimed at highlighting cooperation between the two countries on a slew of issues.

Still, the leading Democratic lawmaker’s reputation as a strong human rights defender galvanized petitioners in Beijing, where several hundreds gathered Monday morning near the capital’s South Railway Station to air their grievances. Dozens of police stood guard and most protesters were kept behind police lines.