CNN news 2009-11-18 加文本

cnn 2009-11-18

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In Beijing’s bitter cold, President Obama was all about showcasing a new warmth with China, as he toured the historic Forbidden City and its Hall of Supreme Harmony.

“…Beautiful and what a magnificent place to visit.”

By the end of this week, Mr. Obama will have visited 20 nations,  the most in the first year of any American president. Though, he told Chinese president Hu Jintao in the ornate Greet Hall of the People, their relationship may be most pivotal of all.

"In this young century, the jobs we do, the prosperity we build, the environment we protect, the security that we seek, all these things are shared."

It was not however all sweetness and light. While  Mr. Obama avoided a meeting with ** Lama in Washington last month to not ruffle feathers before this visit, Here in Beijing, he gently but publicly pushed the Chinese to cool tensions with the Tibetan spiritual leader.

“While we recognize that Tibet is part of the  People’s Republic of China, the United States supports the early resumption of dialog between the Chinese government and representatives of the ** Lama to resolve any concerns and differences that the two sides may have.

And while they spoke of broad economic cooperation, Hu slapped the US for recently hitting Chinese tires and steel with new levies.

“Our two countries need to oppose and reject protectionism in all its manifestations in an even stronger stand."

But the world's two biggest emitters of greenhouse gases vowed to work together to get concrete action on climate change at a summit next month in Copenhagen.

“An accord that covers all of the issues in the negotiations and one that has immediate operational effect. This kind of comprehensive agreement would be an important step forward in the effort to rally the world around a solution to our climate challenge.”

But the Chinese president stopped far short of endorsing tough new sanctions against Iran, though both sides are pledging cooperation to stop North Korea’s nuclear program just a couple of days before Mr. Obama visits South Korea, the final stop on this long Asian journey.

Ed Henry cnn, Beijing.