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“There was a landmark meeting between the ASEAN nations and the United States. This is part of Obama's strategy to engage more deeply in Asia. He also had bilateral talks with Russia President Medvedev, basically a status check on nuclear arms reduction. But most analysts agree that the most important leg of the trip is yet to come, here in China.” (Footage from CNN)
As U.S. President Barack Obama arrives in China during his eight-day visit to Asia, media across both sides of the Pacific are examining the impact of the trip, keeping an eye on whether his tour will improve the U.S. relations with the Asian giant.
We take a look at perspectives from CNN, China Daily, Asia Times Online and CBS News.
CNN highlights President Obama’s desire to reach out to Chinese people en masse and reports feedback from the local authorities.
“But the White House has really been struggling here to come to an agreement with Chinese authorities about how this meeting will be run. President Obama has insisted that he wants to meet as wide as an audience as possible and that he wants these meetings to be broadcast live. The Chinese haven’t been very happy about that. We've been told that CCTV, the national broadcaster, will not be broadcasting this event.”
China Daily is optimistic about Obama’s visit, and says China should play a greater role in the international landscape.
“Obama visits China at a time when the relationship is at its best in 20 years. It has taken two decades to rebuild the relationship to the productive point that it is today... China should shoulder an increasing amount of responsibility in regional and global affairs... while the US and other actors need to make room for China to play a greater role.”
Asia Times Online, however, says Obama’s nuclear arm agenda will prevent improved relations between China, North Korea and the US.
“The Chinese may not like the idea of North Korea existing as 'a nuclear power on their doorstep' […] The Chinese are not going to ruin relations with North Korea, which could complicate the influence, if not control, they have already gained over Pyongyang's state mining interests, just to mollify the US over the nuclear issue.”
Finally, back at home, concerns focus on the U.S. President's ability to generate an interest in trade policy and American products. CBS News says it may be difficult because the President has nothing new to bring to the bargaining table.
“The President will face his biggest challenge of this trip, by far, when he heads to China. He's expected to encourage China to open it's markets to U.S. goods, but he has virtually no leverage. China now largely controls the economic relationship because it has become America's banker.”
So what do you think? Will Obama’s trip boost ties between China and the U.S.?
Writer: Meg Burcke
Producer: Jennifer Herseim
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