Posted by
Defend America on Monday, November 16, 2009 4:51:28 PM
In China, Obama presses for rights
Washington Post Staff Writers
Monday, November 16, 2009; 10:28 AM
SHANGHAI -- Meeting with a carefully screened group of students at the
marquee event of his Asia trip, President Obama on Monday sought to
advance what he called America's "core principles" during his first
public appearance in China.
But the event itself -- billed as an opportunity for Obama to reach
beyond Chinese officialdom -- illustrated the Chinese government's
tight grip.
The "freedoms of expression and worship, of access to information and
political participation, we believe are universal rights," Obama said at a town hall-style meeting
in Shanghai, China's most modern and outward-looking metropolis.
Liberty, the president told nearly 500 students bused to a science
museum decked with U.S. and Chinese flags, should be "available to all
people, including ethnic and religious minorities, whether they are in
the United States, China or any other nation."
Virtually every aspect of the event was staged, and it was unclear
how many Chinese citizens saw the hour-long exchange, which was not
broadcast on national television. One of the most provocative
statements Obama made -- about the importance of opening up the
Internet -- was posted on Chinese news sites at first, but then was
deleted.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/11/16/AR2009111600648.html?hpid=topnews