President Hu Jintao Visits Barack Obama



Chinese President Hu Jintao has arrived in the United States for a three-day state visit. His aim is to boost China-U.S. ties and expand trade relations. After being welcomed by President Barack Obama, he gave a speech on the White House lawn, saying: “I have come to the United States to increase mutual trust, enhance friendship, deepen cooperation and push forward the positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century." The two leaders have a lot to talk about. Besides exploring ways to increase trade and investment between their nations, they will also discuss the situation on the Korean Peninsula and human rights. Mr Hu acknowledged that "a lot still needs to be done in China in terms of human rights".

President Hu Jintao's visit to Washington is seen as a significant political event in China. The country’s newspapers were full of pictures of the two presidents shaking hands at the White House. They said the visit, including the state dinner on Tuesday night, was an acknowledgment of China’s rise to global economic and political power in the past decade. Beijing residents were also enthusiastic about the visit. In an interview with the Associated Press news agency, office worker Sun Bin said: "China and the U.S. aren't enemies. They're countries that need to work together. China needs the U.S. for its development and the U.S. needs China's development." Another resident said: "A lot of people are still getting used to China becoming big and powerful. That's why this visit is important."


Comprehension Practice: True or False

a. China’s President stayed Barack Obama’s family home in Chicago.
b. Hu Jintao gave a speech on the grass in front of the White House.
c. The Chinese leader stated he wanted to increase trust with the USA.
d. Hu Jintao said there was little to be done about China’s human rights.
e. There is little interest in Hu Jintao’s visit in China.
f. China’s media said Hu Jintao’s state dinner was an important event.
g. A Beijing resident told reporters that China and the USA were enemies.
h. Another Chinese person said people need to get used to China’s size.