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Obama discusses rights in China Obama presses China over rights
(about 1 hour later)
US President Barack Obama has told China that individual rights and freedoms should be available to all.US President Barack Obama has told China that individual rights and freedoms should be available to all.
He told an audience of Chinese students that certain freedoms were universal - and not just limited to Americans.He told an audience of Chinese students that certain freedoms were universal - and not just limited to Americans.
President Obama added that China and the United States were not predestined to be adversaries. Speaking at a question and answer session in Shanghai, Mr Obama added that China and the US were not destined to be adversaries.
He was speaking at a question and answer session in Shanghai, before travelling to Beijing for talks with Chinese leaders. He has now arrived in the Chinese capital, Beijing, where he is to meet President Hu Jintao.
Freedom of expressionFreedom of expression
In his speech at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, the US president praised China's efforts in lifting millions of people out of poverty, saying it was "unparalleled" in human history.In his speech at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum, the US president praised China's efforts in lifting millions of people out of poverty, saying it was "unparalleled" in human history.
But according to a BBC correspondent in Beijing, Michael Bristow, Mr Obama also made comments that his hosts would have been less pleased to hear.But according to a BBC correspondent in Beijing, Michael Bristow, Mr Obama also made comments that his hosts would have been less pleased to hear.
Although he was careful not to attack the Chinese government directly, he declared that certain rights and freedoms were universal.Although he was careful not to attack the Chinese government directly, he declared that certain rights and freedoms were universal.
OBAMA ASIA TOUR 1. Friday 13: Arrived in Japan2. Saturday 14: Joined Apec summit in Singapore3. Sunday 15: Had talks with Russia's President Medvedev before leaving for China4. Tuesday 17: Summit in Beijing with Chinese President Hu Jintao5. Wednesday 18: Ends tour in South Korea Apec seeks new balance of power Obama seeks to reassure Asia alliesOBAMA ASIA TOUR 1. Friday 13: Arrived in Japan2. Saturday 14: Joined Apec summit in Singapore3. Sunday 15: Had talks with Russia's President Medvedev before leaving for China4. Tuesday 17: Summit in Beijing with Chinese President Hu Jintao5. Wednesday 18: Ends tour in South Korea Apec seeks new balance of power Obama seeks to reassure Asia allies
China is an authoritarian country in which there are no elections for the country's national leaders. Media outlets and the internet are heavily censored, and those who speak out against the government are often imprisoned.
"We do not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation, but we also don't believe that the principles we stand for are unique to our nation," he said."We do not seek to impose any system of government on any other nation, but we also don't believe that the principles we stand for are unique to our nation," he said.
"These freedoms of expression and worship, of access to information and political participation - we believe are universal rights.""These freedoms of expression and worship, of access to information and political participation - we believe are universal rights."
Mr Obama added: "They should be available to all people, including ethnic and religious minorities, whether they are in the United States, China or any nation."Mr Obama added: "They should be available to all people, including ethnic and religious minorities, whether they are in the United States, China or any nation."
After his main speech, he addressed the issue again in a question and answer session with Chinese students - many of whom spoke English.After his main speech, he addressed the issue again in a question and answer session with Chinese students - many of whom spoke English.
Mr Obama said freedom of information was important. "That makes our democracy stronger because it forces me to hear opinions that I don't want to hear - it forces me to examine what I'm doing," he said. Mr Obama said freedom of information - including open access to the internet - was important.
He added that the internet was a powerful tool to mobilise people and had helped him win the presidency last year. "That makes our democracy stronger because it forces me to hear opinions that I don't want to hear - it forces me to examine what I'm doing," he said.
The US president said there was no reason that the United States and China - a "majestic" country - should not cooperate. He said the internet was a powerful tool to mobilise people and had helped him win the presidency last year.
Nobel prize
The US president said there was no reason that the United States and China - a "majestic" country - should not co-operate.
"We have known setbacks and challenges over the last 30 years. Our relationship has not been without disagreement and difficulty. But the notion that we must be adversaries is not predestined," he said."We have known setbacks and challenges over the last 30 years. Our relationship has not been without disagreement and difficulty. But the notion that we must be adversaries is not predestined," he said.
The United States does not want to constrain China's rise, the US president added. He made a similar comment a few days ago in Japan.The United States does not want to constrain China's rise, the US president added. He made a similar comment a few days ago in Japan.
Mr Obama's question and answer session included queries about Taiwan, the Nobel Peace Prize and cultural diversity.Mr Obama's question and answer session included queries about Taiwan, the Nobel Peace Prize and cultural diversity.
The president is due to fly to Beijing later on Monday to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao for dinner. The session was broadcast live on local Shanghai TV but was not carried live on national networks. The official Xinhua news agency posted a live transcript of his remarks.
The president then flew to Beijing to meet Chinese President Hu Jintao for dinner.
The two are expected to hold talks on Tuesday on issues such as trade imbalances, the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, and the effort to tackle climate change.The two are expected to hold talks on Tuesday on issues such as trade imbalances, the nuclear programmes of Iran and North Korea, and the effort to tackle climate change.
President Obama is also expected to do some sightseeing while in Beijing, visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, previously home to China's emperors.President Obama is also expected to do some sightseeing while in Beijing, visiting the Great Wall of China and the Forbidden City, previously home to China's emperors.
Mr Obama is on his first trip to Asia as US president. He has visited Japan and Singapore, and is scheduled to fly to South Korea after leaving China.Mr Obama is on his first trip to Asia as US president. He has visited Japan and Singapore, and is scheduled to fly to South Korea after leaving China.
Are you in China? What do you think of President Obama's comments? Send us your views.Are you in China? What do you think of President Obama's comments? Send us your views.
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