Barack Obama’s challenge to China premier
BARACK Obama raised the thorny issue of human rights yesterday as he welcomed Chinese President Hu Jintao to the White House.
The Nobel prize-winning US president wasted no time in pointing out the differences between the two economic powerhouses during historic talks on trade, defence and security. Obama spoke up for “the rights and responsibilities of all nations and all peoples... including the universal rights of every human being”.
The Chinese leader’s state visit is expected to lay the basis for the next 30 years of ties between the nations.
Barack Obama questioned China's human rights record
Recognising China’s growing global importance, Hu was greeted with full military honours including a 21-gun salute.
But after Obama’s human rights rebuke, he pointedly added: “China and the United States should respect each other’s choice of development paths and each other’s core interests.”