www射-国产免费一级-欧美福利-亚洲成人福利-成人一区在线观看-亚州成人

Hitting right note on foreign stage

By Brad Webber (China Daily)
Updated: 2009-11-18 09:38

The motorcade ferrying United States President Barack Obama to the Great Hall of the People on Tuesday paused before it rolled past the portrait of Chairman Mao Zedong at Tian'anmen Gate in Beijing.

Perhaps the entourage, en route to Obama's meeting with Chinese President Hu Jintao, was admiring the iconic inspiration for the "ObaMao" T-shirt depicting the American leader wearing a Mao cap. After all, it's a big hit at souvenir stands in Beijing and Shanghai.

More likely, the convoy was following protocol, rightfully displaying respect - more for the Chinese people than deference to the helmsman long criticized by the West.

For a president who is pilloried by neo-conservatives and other would-be Republican rivals as the embodiment of the wishy-washy Democratic liberal, Obama has given away little territory on the core issues, primarily related to the sanctity of individual liberties that Americans hold dear.

For the time being, Obama and leaders of some nations will gently agree to disagree on a number of issues, while still holding esteem for partners and adversaries alike.

Related readings:  Want to see Beijing, Obama? Take a cab  'Majestic' Forbidden City wows Obama  Sino-US bridge over troubled waters  China, US pledge to move forward together  China, US vow to advance ties, expand co-op on global issues

Indeed, Obama's Asian trip might best be called the R-E-S-P-E-C-T tour (with due deference to soul songstress Aretha Franklin), a whirlwind tribute to the rising influence of China and its neighbors. If this concert had a set list, an ersatz "Diplomacy Rocks" would kick off the show.

Engagement and winning with charm are key elements of the Obama style.

The nice-guy approach pays dividends, and lessons learned in Chicago apply to the world stage, too.

On Tuesday, Obama and Hu toasted some two hours of "frank, constructive and fruitful" talks on issues both contentious (US tariffs on Chinese products, appreciation of the yuan) and undisputed (reining in the nuclear ambitions of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Iran).

Obama has acknowledged that China is stepping up as a global leader and as a country that has taken the lead in nudging the world from the brink of economic disaster and fighting climate change, among many positive deeds.

Strangely, Obama called that leadership a "burden", even as China embraces its heightened role.

"China's partnership has proved critical in our efforts to pull ourselves out of the worst recession in generations," said Obama, who hardly needed to note Beijing's patience as the biggest creditor of the US.

"The relationship between our two nations goes far beyond any single issue," Obama said, noting a new era of cooperation.

bradwebber@chinadaily.com.cn

Video

	Welcome to China, President Obama
	Views from Central Park, New York

• "It's a difficult commitment"
• China-US Relations Conference opens in Beijing
• Greetings from US Ambassador to China

Web Exclusive

Maverick bestselling writer wooing Obama preface Of the sundry appeals and hopes laden upon US President Barack Obama's first state visit to China, a bestseller's bid for a preface by the president is most likely to leave the eloquent leader speechless.

Obama's trip to China: will he listen? "No single nation can meet the challenges of our time alone." It has become US President Barack Obama's new catch phrase. But will he listen, when he visits China in mid-November?

Backgrounder

• Profile: US President Barack Obama
• Premier Wen proposes principles on Sino-US ties
• Premier Wen meets with US Secretary of State Powell
• Hu Jintao Meets Bush, Cheney
• China becomes biggest US treasuries holder

Related Coverage

• Overseas reportings on Obama's visit to China
• Hu visits Malaysia, Singapore, attends APEC forum
• Hu's Visit -- New York, Pittsburgh
• China-US Economic and Strategic Dialogue
• US Officials and Their China Connections