Welcoming "peaceful rise" of China as a world power, US President Barack Obama today greeted his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at Palm Springs in California for a two day summit, with both leaders calling for a new approach to ties between Washington and Beijing.
"The United States welcomes the continuing peaceful rise of China as a world power and that, in fact, it is in the United States' interest that China continues on the path of success, because we believe that a peaceful and stable and prosperous China is not only good for Chinese but also good for the world and for the United States," Obama said alongside Xi ahead of their first bilateral meeting.
Noting that as two of the largest economies in the world the US and China will have a healthy economic competition, he said the two countries also have a whole range of challenges on which they have to cooperate, from a nuclear North Korea - or North Korea's nuclear and missile programmes - to proliferation, to issues like climate change.
"And the United States seeks an international economy and international economic order where nations are playing by the same rules, where trade is free and fair, and where the United States and China work together to address issues like cyber security and the protection of intellectual property," he said. In recent months, the issue of cybersecurity has created friction between the two countries.
"In addition to the strategic concerns that we share and the economic challenges that each of our countries face, I will continue to emphasize the importance of human rights," he said, adding that Xi has spoken of a nation and a people that are committed to continuous self-improvement and progress, and history shows that upholding universal rights are ultimately a key to success and prosperity and justice for all nations.
Speaking through an interpreter, the Chinese President said they are meeting to chart the future of China-US relations and draw a blueprint for this relationship and continue their cooperation across the Pacific Ocean.
