Obama Stresses Cooperation With Hu, China

In Beijing, President Spends Hours in Intense Talks With Chinese Leader; Visit Unlikely to Erase Tensions

(CBS/AP)  Last updated at 6:56 p.m. EST

President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao emerged from hours of intense talks Tuesday determined to marshal their combined clout on crucial issues, but still showing divisions over economic, security and human rights issues that have long bedeviled the two powers.

"The relationship between our two nations goes far beyond any single issue," Mr. Obama said in a joint appearance with Hu that followed about 2½ hours of private conversations.

Both leaders spoke in bold terms of the growing relationship between the countries and emphasized cooperation on the economy, climate change, energy and the nuclear threats of Iran and North Korea.

But in those areas and others, there remained differences that underscored that tensions would hardly be erased in Obama's first, high-profile visit to China. Mr. Obama spoke at length about the nations' joint interests and said, "I do not believe that one country's success must come at the expense of another."

Mr. Obama and Hu said they agreed on restarting the collapsed six-nation effort to rid North Korea of its nuclear programs. The Chinese said the effort was essential to "peace and stability in northeast Asia."

Meanwhile, the president - a first time visitor to China - found time for some sightseeing at the Forbidden City, one of China's landmark treasures in the heart of Beijing, reports CBS News senior White House correspondent Bill Plante.

Beijing has supported sterner sanctions against Pyongyang for its continued nuclear weapons program. And, as North Korea's last major ally and a key supplier of food and energy aid, China is a partner with major leverage in six-nation talks with the North over the issue.

On Iran, where the U.S. needs China's clout to help pressure the nation to give up any of its own nuclear weapons positions, Obama spoke with sterner language than Hu.

"Iran has an opportunity to present and demonstrate its peaceful intentions, but if it fails to take this opportunity, there will be consequences," the U.S. president said. Hu made no mention of consequences, saying the Iran conflict is important to resolve through negotiations.

China has significant economic ties with Iran, and Beijing has appeared less willing to endorse a tougher approach to restrict Tehran's uranium enrichment and suspected pursuit of atomic bombs.

In a minor step forward, Mr. Obama announced that the governments will reconvene their on-again, off-again human rights dialogue early next year. Previous rounds have fallen casualty to disputes over arms sales to Taiwan and other issues.

Critics say the president is soft-pedaling human rights, fearful of angering the nation that has become America's banker, reports CBS News chief White House correspondent Chip Reid.

Hu expressed disappointment with the Obama administration over its decision to impose punitive tariffs and duties on imports of Chinese tires and steel pipes. "Our two countries need to oppose and reject protectionism in all its manifestations in an even stronger stand," Hu said.

The Chinese president also called on the U.S. to respect China's "core interests" - code for ending support for Taiwan and for the Dalai Lama, in his Tibetan government-in-exile.

On climate, Mr. Obama said the United States and China are looking for a comprehensive deal during next month's climate change summit that will "rally the world."

Mr. Obama said the goal at the Copenhagen meeting should be an agreement that has "immediate operational effect," not just a political declaration. As the world's two largest consumers and producers of energy, Obama said the United States and China must play a key role in negotiating an agreement.

Mr. Obama said China has helped the United States pull out of the worst recession in a generation. He said a revised economic approach will help increase U.S. exports and create jobs while helping bring about higher living standards in China.

Mr. Obama came to China seeking help with an array of global troubles. He and Hu sought to strike a balance between trading partners and competitors during Obama's trip to China during his Asia tour.

A day before, Mr. Obama prodded China about Internet controls and free speech during a forum with students in Shanghai. His message was not widely heard in the country; his words were drastically limited online and shown on just one regional television channel.

He also suggested that China, now a giant in economic impact as well as territory, must assume a larger role on the world stage - part of "burden of leadership" it shares with the United States.

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Eager to achieve a successful summit, the two leaders avoided spats on economic issues. With America's budget deficit soaring to a yearly record of $1.42 trillion, China is the No. 1 lender to Washington and has expressed concern that the falling price of the dollar threatens the value of its U.S. holdings.

In the U.S., American manufacturers blame China's own low currency value for contributing to the loss of 5.6 million manufacturing jobs over the past decade. During that time, America's trade gap with China has soared.

With sightseeing in Beijing's Forbidden City sandwiched in between their talks, the two leaders' day was to end at a lavish state dinner in Mr. Obama's honor.

Topmost on Mr. Obama's ambitious agenda with Hu is the so-far elusive search for global agreement on a new climate change pact, stymied by disagreement between rich nations like the U.S. and developing nations such as China. Wealthier countries want legally binding greenhouse-gas reduction targets for themselves as well as for energy-guzzling developing nations such as China, India and Brazil. Those poorer nations say they will set only nonbinding goals and they demand assistance to make the transition to harder targets.

[michaelm07]

The headline should read, Obama 'begs' for Chinese cooperation. He is worthless.

[qingqingzhijin]

The rich Americans are squeezing wealth from the poor's future,when the future runs out, the poor cannot buy more things, then comes the crisis, the fundamental reason is that the output is far more than consuming!

[charli7488]

who sees he bows

[YourVeryWrong]

Have them invest in America, and then declare bankruptcy. And we thought Reagan was clever with the Russians. Great Depression II is brilliant. What? It just worked out that way? Oh boy...

[thesevenveils]

We did that last year, remember?
They ended up just buying more of American businesses.

[incog-nito]

YourVeryWrong: Uh... We're the one investing in China. The factories, along with the jobs, are over there.

[YourVeryWrong]

We're investing in China and they lend us money when they buy our debt. Paupers also buy on the installment plan, before the repo man takes it all away.

[newyorkmom]

i was hopeful that Obama would be a great president...he has done nothing for the country up to this point. i hope the next few years do not continue like this

[thesevenveils]

well, he could start a war and justify it by saying "he tried to kill my daddy!". Then he'd be just like your last hero.

[wdh3007]

This president is laughable to the entire world and the only one who does not seem to notice it is him. However in 2010 his presidency will be much more bipartisan whether he wants it or not. Remember a president is only as powerful as the Congress allows him to be even if that means letting those close to him make a majority of his decisions.

[poorsoldier]

Have you heard, the Chinese are erecting a statue next to Mao?s in honor of the man most responsible for China?s economic growth; it?s a statue of Sam Walton.

[kevjustice]

The Chinese fellow told Obama : " You people all rook arike". Okay, just a joke. Do not get your panties in an uproar.

[quapawsix]

I'm going to have a great day now knowing that the National Socialists right wing is unhappy. Respect is a two way street if you want to be respected you have to respect others, Doesn't mean you have to get drunk and howl at the moon all night with them just show respect.

[thesevenveils]

Socialist right wing? You certainly must be refering to what the ooze the Republican party has turned into.

[In-God-We-Trust]

Psalm 109:8
May his days be few;
may another take his place of leadership.

Pray for America to return to the Godly nation it once was.

[DaVicar8]

Pray?
As our President bows to the leader of a nation who sees no problem aborting children just because they will be born female?

Pray...
Pray indeed!

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

it did just that after the last election....

[thesevenveils]

Godly? Whose God? I hope as heck not yours.

[mottasa-2009]

Nixon should have had his behind kicked for even beginning to deal with these Communists! Now they OWN us. China is like having a lion for a pet. As long as you keep feeding it, you wont become its food. Once you stop (or are unable) it consumes you. That is what China will do to us in the future. Teach your kids Mandarin Chinese they will need it. The Chinese Communists have always held to the philosophy that it is better to defeat the U.S. from within (economically), than to wage direct conflict. Keep in mind however, as we are engaged in two conflicts, that China has a Million plus man Army awaiting orders. Yes I guess that most people would dismiss my rhetoric as alarmist, but the Chinese population is growing, and they will need to occupy other lands in the future, lands with lots of natural resources. Finally, in the waning days of the Roman Empire greed and corruption as well as power struggles were seriously undermining Rome. Rome could no longer keep a large military structure in place. Tribes began to defeat Rome in the outer regions first, until they were on Romes very doorstep. Rome decided that the very best way to keep their society intact was to pay "tribute" to these tribes. The tributes kept getting costlier and costlier, and eventually Rome was sacked by a number of different tribes. This is the relationship that we have begun to forge with China.

[californiadreaming]

Well, the more and more we spend money, the more and more China owns us. Our government needs to stop overspending or it will get so bad that it threatens our national security.

[qingqingzhijin]

you don't know about Chinese history and their human nature.They are not Japanese who are so aggressive,they love peace and like living in peace,that is why her cilivization last for the whole history.

[jgg000015]

if bowing is such a noble gesture and warm greeting, did Akhito bow back?

[jgg000015]

whoever is advising obama really should be canned. You don't give dvd's to the queen of england. And you don't return a bust of winston churchill and a pen set that was carved from the remains of a WWII frigate. And you don't bow to an islamic king when you are at war with radical islam and bowing is defined as an admission of servitude. And by all means you don't BOW and shake hands. If you are gonna do it, at least do it correctly.

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

and its ok to go strolling around crawford holding hands?

[jgg000015]

actually, holding hands expresses mutual affection and respect. Bowing to somebody and not having the other person bow back is an action of submission and perceived as such. To bow and shake hands at the same time is amateurish. maybe he can bow, shake hands, stand on one foot and juggle next time.

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

yeah right.....whatever.
the SHRUBBO did it and thats fine by you,
personally holding hands with onother man is kind of icky,
but you conservatives find it ayy okayyy....

[YourVeryWrong]

Charming as always.

[louiville35]

by hungry1968-17 November 17, 2009 10:36 AM EST
by louiville35 November 17, 2009 10:33 AM EST
There's bowing which is reciprocated to show mutual respect, but that's not what happened. looks more like bending over if you know what I mean. The Japanese are not publishing the photo because it's SOOOOOO embarrassing for them (another Japanese/Chinese culture thing). Makes Obama look week, or looking for his lost contact..........






It makes Obama look weak only in the eyes of you 15%ers that don't think he can do anything right, because Fox News tells you he can't.

No one else in the world has a problem with it.
=====================================================================

Sure Sure, more spin eh?

BTW he didn't bow to the Chinese leader, where did you get that????

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

Conservatives can now add more hypocrisy to their resume.

they cant stand obama to show signs of respect by bowing,
yet they get on their elbows and take it in the rear for good ole izreal

[hungry1968-17]

Note too that NONE of them are commenting on the "Baghdad Blasts" story.

They'd rather sit here and cry and whine about a non-issue, (Obama greeting the Chinese president), rather than discuss the disaster they supported.

[U_S_Drug_Addict]

get lost wrong man.
youll go crying back to the sensors again....

[YourVeryWrong]

What cowardly hypocrites we find here.

[hungry1968-17]

by Empire-George November 17, 2009 10:34 AM EST
Hu would be bowing to Obama, if they owed US the money....but hey, bow down to the Chinese.....for respect...LOL

a hand shake wasn't sufficient ?






What's wrong with both?

[hungry1968-17]

by DaVicar8 November 17, 2009 10:35 AM EST
"You too? You've never seen the traditional Chinese custom of bowing when you meet someone?"


Chinese people bow to other Chinese people when they greet them...it's a geture of servitude.
Last I checked, WE don't serve the Chinese.






It's a gesture of "servitude" in Chinese culture?!?!

Since when?

[LiftingSkirts]

He who bows the deepest is in servitude. And DaVicar is wrong...we are certainly in debt to the Chinese...get used to it.

[hungry1968-17]

by louiville35 November 17, 2009 10:33 AM EST
There's bowing which is reciprocated to show mutual respect, but that's not what happened. looks more like bending over if you know what I mean. The Japanese are not publishing the photo because it's SOOOOOO embarrassing for them (another Japanese/Chinese culture thing). Makes Obama look week, or looking for his lost contact..........






It makes Obama look weak only in the eyes of you 15%ers that don't think he can do anything right, because Fox News tells you he can't.

No one else in the world has a problem with it.

[Empire-George]

Hu would be bowing to Obama, if they owed US the money....but hey, bow down to the Chinese.....for respect...LOL

a hand shake wasn't sufficient ?

[LiftingSkirts]

Good thing to see all the posts here are coherent and focused on the real issue ... bowing. sheesh

[louiville35]

I didn't know he had bent over again until I read the posts here. You would think he would have practiced a little more since his last where is my contact bow that they denied.