Monday, January 17, 2011

Mr Hu goes to Washington

Chinese President Hu Jintao goes to Washington this week for a crucial summit with his US counterpart Barack Obama which will try to smooth the rocky relationship between the world’s two biggest economies, while trying to move beyond a long-running currency stand-off and nagging trade issues. This is Hu’s first official state visit to the United States and it highlights the changing power structures in the global economy, as China matches its growing economic might with increased political influence on the world stage.

Political discussions will be tricky, as both disagree sharply on how to resolve the nuclear crisis with Chinese ally North Korea. Obama is likely to urge Hu to increase pressure on North Korea.

Chinese vice-foreign minister Cui Tiankai insisted China and the US “have broad common interests and share the same goal on the Korean nuclear issue”.

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