Politics
Obama meets China Vice President in a bid to improve China – US relations
U.S. President Barack Obama listens to China’s Vice President Xi Jinping. PHOTO/reuters
Barack Obama has warned Beijing that it has to play by the same rules as other major powers within the world economy at a meeting with vice-president Xi Jinping, who is expected to take over the Chinese leadership next year.
US officials regard Xi’s visit to the US this week as an opportunity to size up the man who is expected to replace Hu Jintao as Communist party leader later this year and to succeed him as president in 2013.
Xi met Obama at the White House at a time when there is tension over the vast trade imbalance in favor of China, Beijing undervaluing its currency and the expanding military presence of both countries in the Asia-Pacific region as the two powers compete for influence.
In public remarks at his meeting with Xi, Obama said the US believes that a strong and prosperous China can help to bring stability and prosperity. But he sounded a warning on trade.