WASHINGTON – The man destined to be China’s next leader won an extraordinary welcome across Washington on Tuesday, a finely scripted opening to one of the world’s most important relationships.
Trading kind words of cooperation, President Obama and Xi Jinping also spoke directly about human rights and worsening foreign crises.
Everything about the day reflected just how much China and the United States need each other, no matter what their differences, given their economic and military might and global influence.
Xi got a lengthy Oval Office audience with Obama, an elaborate reception at the State Department, full military honors at the Pentagon, a gathering with chief business executives and an invitation for dinner at Vice President Biden’s house.
At the center of it was a president seeking re-election and the man expected to lead China for the next decade. Xi, whose full name is pronounced shee jeen-ping, is China’s vice president and is expected to succeed Hu Jintao as president in 2013.
“I’m sure the American people welcome you,” Obama said.
The president and vice president, though, both sent stern messages to China about showing more responsibility economically, a sign of simmering frustration over currency and trade policies. Obama said China must play by “the same rules of the road” as the world.
There were no obvious breakthroughs – Xi is not empowered yet anyway – but the stature he is set to assume was enough to draw rare attention.
Never before, for example, has the Pentagon heralded a visiting vice president the way Xi was. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta greeted Xi on the steps of the Pentagon’s River Entrance, as U.S. troops held an honor cordon for Xi. He got a 19-gun salute.
The relationship between the nations is complex. It is strengthened by their joint need for international stability and economic growth, yet tested by currency disputes, China’s limits on basic human freedoms, trade imbalances and growing military tensions.
Obama and Xi kept their focus on a diverse and cooperative agenda, although Obama did push China on human rights and the importance to recognize the “rights of all people.”
In a separate setting, Xi defended his country’s rights records but added: “Of course there’s always room for improvement on human rights.” His comments at the State Department luncheon were similar to those made by Hu during a state visit to Washington a year ago.
Xi said that his meetings in Washington, to be followed by stops in the Iowa heartland and then California, were aimed not just at better political ties but a deeper friendship with the American people.
Xi is known for being adept at forming personal connections, particularly in comparison with Hu, who has often appeared stiff and staid around Obama. At the State Department, Xi cited a couple of old proverbs and a Chinese pop song to make his point about the ever-changing US-China relationship.
