President Obama met with the Chinese Foreign Minister today in the Oval Office. Prior to the
meeting, the Foreign Minister met with National Security Advisor Jones and also met yesterday
at the State Department with Secretary of State Clinton.
During today?s meeting, President Obama and Foreign Minister Yang discussed the overall state
of the U.S.-China bilateral relationship, emphasizing the desire of both sides to strengthen
cooperation and build a positive and constructive U.S.-China relationship.
The two also discussed other important global issues, including the international financial
crisis, North Korea, Afghanistan and Pakistan, and the situation in Sudan. The President also
stressed the importance of raising the level and frequency of the U.S.-China
military-to-military dialogue in order to avoid future incidents. General Jones had also raised
the recent incident in the South China Sea with the USNS Impeccable.
On the international financial crisis, the two agreed that China and the U.S. must work
closely and urgently, as two of the world?s leading economies, to stabilize the global economy
by stimulating demand at home and abroad, and get credit markets flowing. The President also
emphasized the need to address global trade imbalances.
On human rights, the President noted that the promotion of human rights is an essential aspect
of U.S. global foreign policy. The President expressed his hope there would be progress in the
dialogue between the Chinese government and the Dalai Lama?s representatives.
On North Korea, the President expressed appreciation for the important role China has played
as the Chair of the Six-Party Talks. He said we will continue to work with China and other
partners in the Six-Party process to verifiably eliminate North Korea?s nuclear program. The
President also highlighted the risks posed by North Korea?s missile program.
On Darfur, President Obama expressed his deep concern about the unfolding humanitarian crisis
and the Government of Sudan?s decision to expel major humanitarian organizations that had been
providing lifesaving assistance to the people of Darfur.