Underscoring the sensitivity of the rights issues among China’s critics, a few hundred protesters marched outside the White House, waving Tibetan flags and calling for a free Tibet. They held signs proclaiming, ‘‘Xi Jinping: Tibet will be free.’’ They shouted ‘‘Shame on Chinese government’’ and ‘‘Stop lying to the world.’’
But Xi’s unusually long and high-level visit to the United States reflected the stature he is set to assume, and the importance the Obama administration puts on building ties with Beijing. Both sides stressed the importance of stable relations between the two global powers, and their ability to air differences without recrimination.
‘‘We welcome China’s peaceful rise,’’ Obama said as the two men sat in the Oval Office. ‘‘We believe that a strong and prosperous China is one that can help to bring stability and prosperity to the region and to the world.’’
Obama said he looks forward to future cooperation.
A smiling Xi told Obama he wants to build on the past relationship between Obama and Hu and ‘‘deepen the friendship’’ between the people of the two countries.
‘‘I hope to engage with a broad cross-section of American society during my current visit so as to deepen mutual understanding, expand consensus, strengthen cooperation and deepen the friendship between the Chinese and American people,’’ Xi said, a reference to an itinerary that includes stops in Iowa and California.
Xi’s visit is being closely watched because he will likely lead China over the coming decade. After becoming party leader, he is expected to replace Hu as president in 2013.
In the years ahead, the U.S. and China are likely to see their economic ties grow even as they are viewed increasingly as military rivals.
