Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
U.S. lawmakers press China's Hu on N.Korea, rights
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
U.S. lawmakers press China's Hu on N.Korea, rights
Reuters - 1 hour 58 minutes ago
Send
IM Story
Print
By Thomas Ferraro and Caren Bohan
WASHINGTON - U.S. lawmakers pressed Chinese President Hu Jintao to get tough on North Korea and improve human rights on Thursday but trod more softly on the currency dispute that is a major irritant between the world's top two economies.
Hu was urged by President Barack Obama on Wednesday to let the value of China's currency rise but members of Congress zeroed in on human rights and trade to underscore the huge gaps between Beijing and Washington.
"Chinese leaders have a responsibility to do better and the United States has a responsibility to hold them to account," John Boehner, the new Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, said after meeting Hu with other lawmakers.
Analysts have called Hu's visit to Washington the most significant by a Chinese leader in 30 years given China's growing military and diplomatic clout.
But it comes at a time of strains over everything from economic policy and climate change to the nuclear ambitions of North Korea and Iran.
Lawmakers said they urged Hu to take a stronger line on North Korea, hoping to use Beijing's influence over Pyongyang to ease tensions on the Korean peninsula and resume aid-for-disarmament talks.
After a series of business deals were announced this week, Hu continued his courtship of U.S. companies with a speech describing the benefits of cooperation before he was due to travel to Chicago on Thursday afternoon. More deals are expected to be announced there.
Underlining China's importance to the global economy, data on Thursday showed its annual growth quickened in the fourth quarter of last year to 9.8 percent, defying expectations of a slowdown.
"SUBSTANTIALLY UNDERVALUED"
As U.S. voter anger simmers with unemployment riding above 9 percent, lawmakers have threatened new tariffs to punish Beijing for policies that critics say undervalue the yuan by up to 40 percent against the dollar.
The policies make China's exports artificially cheap, the critics charge, and contribute to a trade gap that Washington puts at $270 billion .
While House lawmakers skipped the currency question, which has been raised more frequently in the past by Democrats than Republicans, Senate Majority leader Harry Reid did raise it in his meeting with Hu, an aide said.
And the U.S. Treasury kept up the pressure with Assistant Treasury Secretary Charles Collyns saying Beijing has kept the yuan "substantially undervalued.
Obama had spoken forcefully about the yuan in a joint news conference with Hu on Wednesday but the comments by Collyns were the sharpest direct criticism of China's currency policies during Hu's visit.
Rick Larsen, the Democratic co-chairman of the bipartisan U.S.-China Working Group in the House, said China must get serious about improving U.S. access to its huge domestic market and allowing the yuan to rise.
"This puts U.S. companies at a disadvantage and unfairly tilts the playing field towards domestic Chinese companies," he said in a statement on Thursday.
State media in China lapped up the pomp of the visit but largely avoided mention of the rare news conference by the two presidents, where Hu was peppered with questions about the yuan and human rights.
Beijing residents said BBC and CNN broadcasts of the summit went blank when questions moved to human rights and anti-Chinese protesters, although access to foreign news channels is limited to upscale hotels and apartment complexes.
Newspapers splashed photos of Hu with Obama across their front pages, with headlines touting a "new chapter in relations" after China agreed to buy $45 billion worth of U.S. goods in deals that seemed aimed at quelling anti-Chinese sentiment in the United States.
Hu told the U.S.-China Business Council on Thursday that cheap Chinese exports had saved American consumers $600 billion over the past decade and described hopes for a richer partnership -- while avoiding mention of human rights or the currency issue.
"Our two countries have never enjoyed such broad common interests and shouldered such broad common responsibilities as they do today," Hu said, adding that China "will unwaveringly take the path of peaceful development."
YUAN NOT TO BLAME
Neither Boehner nor Reid attended Wednesday's White House dinner for Hu, labelled "a dictator" by the Senate majority leader in a television interview this week. Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell skipped the Hu visit entirely.
Senator John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential candidate, and former Democratic House speaker Nancy Pelosi led the effort to put pressure on Hu over human rights in their meetings, congressional aides said, illustrating the bipartisan nature of concern over China's record.
Small groups of rights activists continued to demonstrate near Hu's Washington hotel on Thursday while a larger number of China supporters gathered nearby to shout counter-slogans.
Democratic Representative Howard Berman said it was frustrating that issues such as currency could not be covered in Thursday's meeting between House members and Hu.
"Many of us never got a chance to raise issues because of the limited time," he said. "Life is full of frustrations."
In the past week, China's central bank has repeatedly set the daily mid-point for the yuan at record highs in keeping with a policy of strengthening the currency during important diplomatic events.
But China has thus far resisted demands for faster appreciation of the yuan.
Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai said Beijing's position on the exchange rate "has not substantially changed" while Commerce Minister Chen Deming said China wanted to resolve the trade imbalance through talks and the value of the yuan was not to blame, the official Xinhua news agency said.
Analysts said the U.S.-China business pacts agreed during the visit looked impressive but some agreements may take years to materialise and others were closer to non-binding draft deals that still require further negotiations -- leaving the real results of the visit unclear.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
S. Korea agrees to military talks with North AFP - 23 minutes ago
Unbowed China leader warns US AFP - 1 hour 3 minutes ago
China leader warns US on Tibet, Taiwan AFP - 1 hour 40 minutes ago
U.S. lawmakers press China's Hu on N.Korea, rights Reuters - 1 hour 58 minutes ago
Wrong men convicted of Daniel Pearl murder: probe AFP - 2 hours 15 minutes ago
News Search
Top Stories
Boeing to cut 1,100 jobs in C-17 program
Boeing to cut 1,100 jobs in cargo plane production
2010 warmest ever year, says UN weather agency
US, China ink $45 bln of export deals
Bedbugs resistant to pesticide, study finds
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Britain bans US pastor Jones for 'the public good'
Bedbugs resistant to pesticide, study finds
Researchers aim to resurrect mammoth in five years
Climate change study had 'significant error': experts
Steve Jobs steps aside as Apple profits soar
More Most Viewed »
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Entertainment
Photos
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2011 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Friday, 21 January 2011 U.S. says seeks meaningful process in Iran talks
Lukashenko: Belarus will not bow to West
Hariri says will try to lead new Lebanon government
S. Africa honeymoon death suspect 'has stress'
Boeing to cut 1,100 jobs in C-17 program
HP directors to investigate Mark Hurd's departure: filing
50 dead in Iraq as suicide blasts rock holy city
Boeing to cut 1,100 jobs in cargo plane production
British minister attacks 'acceptable' Islamophobia
Top Sunni body freezes dialogue with Vatican
Bomb attacks on Shi'ites, Iraqi police kill 48
Protests erupt in Yemen, president offers reform
|
Sony Ericsson held back by outdated handsets
Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian gunman-army
Georgia starts new wave of refugee evictions
|
Bombs kill up to 45 Shi'ite pilgrims in Iraq
Hariri says will try to lead new Lebanon government
|
At least 45 dead in twin Iraq car bombs
Cyprus peace talks not on verge of deal, U.S. says
|
Vatican to Berlusconi: Politicians must be moral
|
U.S. House backs repeal of Obama healthcare law
Wrong men convicted of Daniel Pearl murder: probe
Korea breakthrough as Seoul agrees to talks with North
U.S. lawmakers press China's Hu on N.Korea, rights
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Top US lawmakers press Hu on rights, trade
"American Idol" loses viewers despite make-over
Myanmar parties join calls to lift sanctions
Feted for drama, Natalie Portman now goes for laughs
Intel seen winning EU approval for McAfee deal: sources
|
Film on Jewish kids' rescue from 1939 Prague to hit cinemas
T-Mobile USA eyes $2 billion tower sale in early Q2
|
Cambodian PM defends son's military promotion
Sundance 2011 filmmakers face new reality
Indonesia prosecutors seek jail in torture trial
Rightwing Croat singer bribed not to perform: report
NEC and Lenovo in PC joint venture talks: report
|
Russia maintains freeze on US art shows
S. Korea agrees to military talks with North
Guinness releases wacky videogame records
|
Analysis: Traffic jams unlikely on Cuban data highway
|
Swiss return world's oldest mummies to Chile
Macy Gray asks fans if she should boycott Israel
Mobile marketer TIM w.e. eyes U.S. listing: sources
|
Global 2010 recorded music sales fall about 9 percent
Wi-LAN and Broadcom to settle patent lawsuits
|
American Idol loses viewers despite make-over
|
Feted for drama, Natalie Portman now goes for laughs
|
Sundance 2011 filmmakers face new reality
|
Sandra Bullock's ex-husband to wed tattoo artist
|
Buffett stepping down from Washington Post board
US-TECH Summary
Cyber-attack did not affect Iran nuclear programme: official
T-Mobile USA eyes potential tower sale
Guinness releases wacky videogame records
Amazon buys European film rental service Lovefilm
Russia faces rare Internet copyright challenge
Business booming for cyber criminals: security firm
Japan firm unveils high-strength gadget glass
Intel seen winning EU approval for McAfee deal: sources
U.S. warns China on North Korea
|
Mystery blackmail blasts rock Ukraine town
Verizon challenges FCC's new Internet rules
Exclusive: Hughes Communications up for sale: sources
NEC in talks with Lenovo about PC venture: sources
Tunisia sets three-day mourning for protest victims
|
"American Idol" sees ratings drop for 10th season premiere
Iran nuclear talks begin, expectations low
|
AMD says focused on chip launch despite CEO departure
Britney Spears earns fourth #1 single on Billboard Hot 100 with "Hold It Against Me"
White House not ready to agree Afghan force buildup
Blair set for second grilling on Iraq War
|
Apple tightens the screws on iPhone 4: sources
Toshiba to build 'huge solar plant' in Bulgaria
Redford opens 'shoestring' Sundance film fest
Lenovo, NEC in PC joint venture talks-sources
U.S. resumes deportations to quake-ravaged Haiti
|
Migraines don't damage brain: study
Belarus leader to take office after flawed poll
|
Tunisia mourns victims of 'Jasmine Revolution'
HP shakes up board
Analysis: Hu addresses U.S. stress over China high-tech drive
Police clowns tell Mexican children crime is no joke
|
S.Korea navy 'kills Somali pirates, saves crew'
LG Display swings to quarterly loss on fine, LCD price fall
Aussie Meyer grabs Tour Down Under lead
New Zealand rangers put down stranded whales
Australia flags taxpayer levy for floods
U.S. warns China on North Korea
Hu visits U.S. heartland to tout business ties
Two critical with swine flu in Hong Kong
China orders pro-party reporting: rights groups
Google co-founder Page takes over, targets Facebook
|
China earmarks $303 bn for safe water: report
Ricky Gervais says did nothing wrong at Globes gala
Apple tightens the screws on iPhone 4: sources
|
S. Korea says North 'must talk about nukes
Lenovo and NEC in talks to combine PC businesses: sources
|
Verizon challenges FCC's new Internet rules
|
Booming India draws foreign art dealers
LG Display warns of lower shipments after heavy quarterly loss
|
AMD says focused on chip launch despite CEO departure
|
Britney Spears debuts at No. 1 on singles chart
HP shakes up board, adds Meg Whitman and 4 others
|
US radio host criticized for mocking China president
Analysis: Traffic jams unlikely on Cuban data highway
|
Overlooked "127 Hours" hopes for Oscar attention
Analysis: Hu addresses U.S. stress over China high-tech drive
|
China may hike rates in early February: media
New "Idol" judge Tyler could easily quit day job
Comic Sacha Baron Cohen to star in "Dictator"
T-Mobile USA eyes potential $2 billion tower sale
|
Seoul shares fall 1.7 pct on banks, autos
TV watchdog calls for child porn probe of "Skins"
S.Korea not to tighten FX position controls in Jan
India's IT leader Wipro revamps leadership
Colombia's Botero paints Stations of the Cross
Philippines rice 2010 farm output hit by weather
Taiwan stocks fall before tech Q4 earnings
Toshiba to build huge solar plant in Bulgaria: report
Pakstan c.bank to buy govt paper in 7-day reverse-repo
Carlyle Taiwan TV stake draws interest but sale unlikely
Pakistan
Google appoints co-founder Larry Page as its new CEO
U.S. stocks extend pullback
Essence, Diddy to celebrate Janelle Monae at the Black Women In Music event
Giffords will move to rehabilitation facility in Houston for gunshot recovery
Rosie O'Donnell to host one-hour specials for OWN network's "Documentary Film Club"
New Idol judge Tyler could easily quit day job
|
"General Hospital" actress Annie Ilonzeh cast as one of "Charlie's Angels"
Sundance debuts with Harry Belafonte documentary
|
Federal mob bust nets 127 alleged gangsters
Britney Spears debuts at No. 1 on singles chart
|
"American Idol" sees ratings drop for 10th season premiere
Willow Smith likely to star as "Annie" in musical remake
Comic Sacha Baron Cohen to star in Dictator
|
Cyber-attack on Iranian nuclear program risks reprisals against U.S.
Michael Jackson estate sues memorabilia vendor
|
LG Display warns of lower shipments after heavy quarterly loss
Overlooked 127 Hours hopes for Oscar attention
|
George Clooney caught malaria in Sudan
|
TV watchdog calls for child porn probe of Skins
|
Experiment concludes dirty jeans not a health risk
Dutch teen sailor makes epic voyage across Atlantic
Taiwanese missiles miss targets in drill; president disappointed in military's failure
Postal truck leaves behind 70-mile mail trail
Astronomer sets off firestorm by pointing out the zodiac doesn't line up
Fugitive found after 30 years of hiding
Acid ship capsizes in German river
Merged BA-Iberia takes off
Iran says uranium enrichment not up for debate at talks
Taliban order strict phone blackout in Afghan north
Iran draws red lines at outset of nuclear talks
Gazans mob French minister in 'war crimes' mix-up
HTC sees quarterly revenue and shipments more than double
Obama to name GE chief as top jobs adviser
Iran draws red lines at outset of nuclear talks
|
Blair 'profoundly' regrets lives lost in Iraq war
Surprise shakeup of top management at Google
Lebanon rival parties set for fierce showdown
Angry Palestinians mob French minister in Gaza
|
UK PM's media chief quits over phone hacking row
|
Almost 99 percent choose south Sudan split
Analysis: Traffic jams unlikely on Cuban data highway
Bin Laden links French hostages' fate to Afghan pullout
Irish PM's party mulls second coup bid in a week
|
Druze leader set to play kingmaker in Lebanon
Bomb kills 2 guards protecting Afghan official
France will pay for Afghan policy: bin Laden tape
|
One out of five cellphones sold is unlicensed copy: Nokia
Iran nuclear talks begin, expectations low
LG Display warns of lower shipments after heavy quarterly loss
Lebanon's Druze leader says backs Hezbollah
|
Australia beat England in cricket one-dayer
Belarus president sworn in after disputed election
|
Dramatic injury forces Williams out of Open
More than 120 busted in Northeast Mafia crackdown
Williams in shock Australian pull-out
Minimum and maximum temperatures in Celsius
Australia beat England in ODI
China media lauds Hu's U.S. visit as "masterstroke"
Indonesian state banks record US$1.6b in bad debts
Residents show little more confidence in Bangkok governor
Calls to family meet bloody end
Special Report: Augmented hype? Mobile's next big thing
|
Verizon sees $600 million accounting change charge
|
One out of five cellphones sold is unlicensed copy: Nokia
|
HTC sees quarterly revenue and shipments more than double
|
Obama taps GE CEO to head new panel on jobs
AAA debuts new mobile App for Android
Poll: Emanuel rivals gaining in Chicago mayoral race gaining
Disabled man uses Facebook to call for help when fire breaks out in kitchen
Report: 700 water mains break daily in the U.S.
Use of human growth hormones common among male U.S. weightlifters
Military launches largest rocket from West Coast
Wal-Mart launches healthy food campaign
After a long hiatus, Peter Weir finds The Way Back
|
Excessive video game playing may cause psychiatric problems in children
Brother jailed for attack on Harry Potter actress
|
Sienna Miller to appear in World War Two play
|
Ricky Gervais says did nothing wrong at Globes gala
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights