Obama takes up human rights with Hu,both agree on climate

Hu said: “There are growing global challenges,and countries in today’s world have become more and more interdependent.”

With each of those big issues — from global warming to the Iranian and North Korean nuclear programmes — persistent differences bubbled up in the form of indirect barbs during the joint appearance.

Stung by new US levies on imports of Chinese-made tires and steel pipes,Hu said he told Obama that both countries “need to oppose and reject protectionism in all its manifestations in an even stronger stand”.

Obama also pointedly raised human rights,saying they are fundamental to all. “We do not believe these principles are unique to America,but rather they are universal rights and that they should be available to all people,” Obama said in his only televised remarks on the sensitive issue.

Headway was made on climate change. The two committed their countries — the biggest emitters of the heat-trapping gases causing global warming — to backing a detailed political agreement at next month’s climate-change conference in Copenhagen. In their formula,rich countries would commit to reduction targets while developing ones would agree to meet softer goals that would be monitored.

Obama favours resumption of talks between Beijing and Dalai Lama

On his first visit to China,US President Barack Obama on Tuesday supported early resumption of talks between China and the Dalai Lama’s representatives and described Tibet as part of China. Taking note of the sensitivities of China and the exiled Tibetan leader,Obama said “we did note that while we recognise that Tibet is part of the People’s Republic of China,the US supports the early resumption of dialogue” between the Dalai Lama’s representatives and Beijing. Obama’s remarks came after his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao in Beijing.

US,China back improvement in India-Pakistan ties

The US and China voiced support for improvement in India-Pakistan ties and their readiness to promote peace and stability in the region. A joint statement issued at the conclusion of Obama’s talks with his Chinese counterpart listed the situation in South Asia among regional and global challenges. The two countries “support the improvement and growth of relations between India and Pakistan”,and are ready to strengthen communication,dialogue and cooperation to promote peace,stability in the South Asian region,the statement said. Agencies