In a unusual compromise on a highly sensitive issue, Chinese President Hu Jintao used his White House visit on Wednesday to admit "a lot still needs to be done" to advance human rights in his nation accused of repressing its people. President Barack Obama pushed China to accept fundamental freedoms but assured Hu the US considers the communist nation a friend and fundamental economic partner.Hu's remarks met with instant cynicism from human rights advocates, who dismissed them as words backed by no real history of action. Hu contended his country has "made enormous progress" but provided no specifics.
Still, his comments seemed to inspire and surprise US officials, coming during an detailed visit that centered on boosting trade and trust between the world's two largest economies. More broadly, Hu and Obama sought to show off a more mature and polite relationship, not the one regularly defined by disputes over currency, sovereignty and freedoms. Hu said he wanted even closer contact with Obama; Obama sought again to embrace China's rise, and the two men shared some unpredicted laughs.
0 comments:
Post a Comment