Obama tells vice president he welcomes China's rise
Source: Agencies |
February 15, 2012, Wednesday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
US President Barack Obama said yesterday that the United States welcomes China's rise, saying that strong cooperation between the two powers is good for the rest of the world.
Obama offered a warm welcome to Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping at the White House.
"We welcome China's peaceful rise," Obama said as the two men sat in the Oval Office.
"We believe a strong and prosperous China is one that can help to bring stability and prosperity to the region and to the world."
Obama said he was looking forward to future cooperation.
A smiling Xi told Obama he wants to build on the relationship between Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao. He wants to engage the American people to strengthen cooperation and "deepen the friendship" between the people of the two countries.
Obama sought to balance his desire to make a good start with Xi with the political need to look firm with Beijing in an election year.
"We have tried to emphasize that because of China's ... extraordinary development over the last two decades, that with expanding power and prosperity also comes increased responsibilities," Obama said.
"We want to work with China to make sure that everybody is working by the same rules of the road when it comes to the world economic system, and that includes ensuring that there is a balanced trade flow between not only the United States and China, but around the world," he said.
Xi said he looked forward to building a "cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interests."
He added: "I hope to engage with a broad cross-section of American society during my current visit."
The two leaders smiled and nodded as the other spoke and shook hands during an appearance in front of reporters.
Earlier, Xi held talks with US Vice President Joe Biden.
Xi said his visit was aimed at increasing strategic mutual trust, exploring more substantial cooperation and deepening the friendship between the two countries.
Biden told Xi that the two powers should work together despite their differences.
"We are not always going to see eye-to-eye. We are not always going to see things exactly the same, but we have very important economic and political concerns that warrant that we work together," Biden said before talks began.
"It is a sign of the strength and maturity of our relationship that we are able to talk candidly about our differences," Biden said.
In brief comments in response to Biden, Xi said it was his "great pleasure" to meet the US vice president again following his visit to China last August, and thanked him personally for his part in arranging the reciprocal visit.
Xi also met with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
Washington will need to convince a skeptical Beijing that an adjustment in US foreign policy to emphasize the economically booming Asia-Pacific region is not aimed at containing the rise of China.
Also on the agenda: North Korea, Iran and Syria, following China's decision last week to join Russia in vetoing a UN Security Council resolution pressuring Syrian President Bashar Assad's government over its violent crackdown on opponents.
Obama offered a warm welcome to Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping at the White House.
"We welcome China's peaceful rise," Obama said as the two men sat in the Oval Office.
"We believe a strong and prosperous China is one that can help to bring stability and prosperity to the region and to the world."
Obama said he was looking forward to future cooperation.
A smiling Xi told Obama he wants to build on the relationship between Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao. He wants to engage the American people to strengthen cooperation and "deepen the friendship" between the people of the two countries.
Obama sought to balance his desire to make a good start with Xi with the political need to look firm with Beijing in an election year.
"We have tried to emphasize that because of China's ... extraordinary development over the last two decades, that with expanding power and prosperity also comes increased responsibilities," Obama said.
"We want to work with China to make sure that everybody is working by the same rules of the road when it comes to the world economic system, and that includes ensuring that there is a balanced trade flow between not only the United States and China, but around the world," he said.
Xi said he looked forward to building a "cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual interests."
He added: "I hope to engage with a broad cross-section of American society during my current visit."
The two leaders smiled and nodded as the other spoke and shook hands during an appearance in front of reporters.
Earlier, Xi held talks with US Vice President Joe Biden.
Xi said his visit was aimed at increasing strategic mutual trust, exploring more substantial cooperation and deepening the friendship between the two countries.
Biden told Xi that the two powers should work together despite their differences.
"We are not always going to see eye-to-eye. We are not always going to see things exactly the same, but we have very important economic and political concerns that warrant that we work together," Biden said before talks began.
"It is a sign of the strength and maturity of our relationship that we are able to talk candidly about our differences," Biden said.
In brief comments in response to Biden, Xi said it was his "great pleasure" to meet the US vice president again following his visit to China last August, and thanked him personally for his part in arranging the reciprocal visit.
Xi also met with Defense Secretary Leon Panetta.
Washington will need to convince a skeptical Beijing that an adjustment in US foreign policy to emphasize the economically booming Asia-Pacific region is not aimed at containing the rise of China.
Also on the agenda: North Korea, Iran and Syria, following China's decision last week to join Russia in vetoing a UN Security Council resolution pressuring Syrian President Bashar Assad's government over its violent crackdown on opponents.
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