Obama champions free speech during China talk

AP Photo/Charles Dharapak

Yesterday, U.S. President Barack Obama spoke in front of an audience of 500 Chinese students, where, according to the BBC News, he advocated freedom of speech and information. China is notorious for repressive policies targeting political dissidents, and for internet and media censorship.

At the Shanghai Science and Technology Institute, President Obama called China's economic development "unparalleled," and emphasized his hopes for further cooperation between China and the United States on both political and economic issues. He did not shy away from China's limits on freedom of information or speech, however. "Freedoms of expression and worship, of access to information and political participation - [Americans] believe are universal rights," Obama said. After his speech, while fielding questions, Obama expanded on those statements, saying "[freedom of expression, information] makes our democracy stronger because it forces me to hear opinions that I don't want to hear - it forces me to examine what I'm doing."

In an ironic twist of fate, President Obama's speech was broadcast only on local Shanghai television stations and streamed from two state-run internet portals. On the whole, his visit barely rated a mention on state press agency Xinhua News' evening television broadcast. Though Xinhua covered the Shanghai talk on its english-language website, it made no mention of Obama's free speech comments.

"[Obama] covered a wide range of topics," Xinhua observed, "notably the outlook of Sino-U.S. cooperation and youth exchanges between the two countries, while delivering opening remarks and answering questions from the students and Chinese Internet users."

Chinese citizens surveyed by the BBC for their views on Obama's visit largely saw its importance as economic, hoping that he would improve trade relations between the two countries. 18-year old trainee nurse Liu Yue commented that "[Obama's visit] will improve friendship and trade relations between our two countries." Another trainee nurse, Zhu Tianfeng, admitted that she doesn't pay much attention to the news because "[t]here's no TV in the dormitory where I live," but added that she thinks the visit is good for both countries.

25-year old doctor Yu Yue was less positive, saying that "[President Obama] is just one person, he's not god. His opinions won't change the world a lot."

Today, Obama is scheduled to meet with China's President, Hu Jintao. The two will discuss trade, climate change, and Iranian and North Korean nuclear programs.