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End protectionism, China tells US China and US 'to work together'
(39 minutes later)
Chinese President Hu Jintao has said at a joint news conference with US President Barack Obama that their two countries must shun protectionism. The presidents of China and the US have agreed to work together to solve some of the world's most pressing problems.
President Hu said the two sides would "continue to have consultations on an equal footing to properly resolve economic and trade frictions". On climate change, Barack Obama said both sides agreed on the need for a comprehensive global deal in Copenhagen next month, not a political statement.
He spoke after a summit with Mr Obama at Beijing's Great Hall of the People. Mr Obama and Hu Jintao also agreed to push for North Korea to re-enter stalled talks on its nuclear programme.
Both leaders also said they had agreed measures on climate change and nuclear proliferation in the Korean peninsula. But differences emerged in the talks in Beijing, with Hu Jintao calling for an end to trade protectionism.
Before Tuesday's closed-door meeting began, Mr Obama - continuing his first tour of Asia - said: "We believe strong dialogue is important not only for the US and China, but for the rest of the world." The two leaders held two hours of talks in Beijing's Great Hall of the People, on the edge of Tiananmen Square.
Mr Hu said: "I look forward to having an in-depth relationship." Both leaders then held a joint media event at which they read out statements - but there were no questions from the listening journalists.
Mr Obama came to China for his first visit as president emphasising that China was now a major player on the world stage - and he turned to that point again in Beijing.
"The major challenges of the 21st Century from climate change to nuclear proliferation to economic recovery are challenges that touch both our nations, and challenges that neither of our nations can solve by acting alone," he said.
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 Obama seeks China's co-operation In pictures: US-China relations Chinese views on Obama's visit Have your say: Obama in ChinaOBAMA 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 Obama seeks China's co-operation In pictures: US-China relations Chinese views on Obama's visit Have your say: Obama in China
With world leaders meeting in Copenhagen next month to discuss how to tackle global warming, climate change is perhaps the most pressing issue to resolve.
Mr Obama appeared to raise hopes that a deal can be struck in Copenhagen.
"Our aim there is not a partial accord or a political declaration, but rather an accord that covers all of the issues in the negotiations and one that has immediate operational effect," said Mr Obama.
Standing next to President Hu, Mr Obama also took up a theme that has previously proved contentious between the two countries.
He said China should resume talks with representatives of Tibet's exiled leader the Dalai Lama to resolve difference about the Himalayan region.
China says that the Dalai Lama is trying to split Tibet from the rest of the country and last year said previous talks had achieved nothing.
President Hu said the two sides would hold talks about human rights and religious freedom.
But in an indication of China's rising power and influence, he said the two counties should now treat each other as equals.
"We will continue to act in a spirit of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs," said Mr Hu, who spoke first at the media event.
He added that trade friction that has recently increased between China and the United States should be resolved on an "equal footing".
Later in the day, Mr Obama is due to meet the chairman of the parliament, Wu Banguo, and there will be a state banquet at the Great Hall.Later in the day, Mr Obama is due to meet the chairman of the parliament, Wu Banguo, and there will be a state banquet at the Great Hall.
The BBC's Quentin Somerville in Beijing says President Obama's trip to China so early in his presidential term has been welcomed by the Chinese. The US leader, who is not being accompanied by his family on the tour of China, is also fitting in visits to the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China.
Our correspondent says the two nations' fortunes are entwined, with both having a vested interest in getting the global economy moving again. Mr Obama earlier visited Japan and Singapore on what is his first visit to Asia as US president, and is scheduled to fly to South Korea after leaving China on Wednesday.
The US leader, who is not being accompanied by his family on the tour, is also fitting in visits to the Forbidden City and the American embassy.
He arrived by plane on Monday in the capital from Shanghai where he had addressed Chinese students, telling them that individual rights and freedoms should be available to all.
Mr Obama had told his audience that he was a "big supporter of non-censorship", and that unrestricted internet access was a "source of strength" that should be encouraged.
Communist China employs some of the tightest controls over internet content in the world.
Greeting his American guest in Beijing, President Hu noted Mr Obama's meeting with the students, calling it "quite lively".
During the two leaders' dinner, conversation centred upon the respective histories of the two countries, and both men outlined the economic challenges their states face.
They swapped ideas about the significance education plays in the advancement of their people, AP news agency reported.
Mr Obama visited Japan and Singapore earlier and is scheduled to fly to South Korea after leaving China on Wednesday.