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[h=4]Obama, Xi vow cooperation on climate, cyber issues[/h]WASHINGTON -- President Obama formally welcome Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping to the White House on Friday for tense talks touching on allegations of cyber spying, a Chinese military build-up, economic
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In a joint press conference with Chinese President Xi Jinping, President Obama said he told Xi that cyber attacks on American citizens and businesses needed to stop and would not be tolerated. VPC
President Obama and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the White House on Friday.(Photo: YURI GRIPAS, AFP/Getty Images)
WASHINGTON —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>President Obama and Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping vowed Friday not to engage in economic cyber espionage, to cooperate more on climate change, and to work out disputes in the<span style="color: Red;">*</span>South China Sea region while indicating that differences remain in what has become a tense relationship<span style="color: Red;">*</span>between<span style="color: Red;">*</span>key global powers.
Obama said he told Xi about the "serious concerns" that U.S. officials and businesses have over<span style="color: Red;">*</span>cyberspying by China, and "I indicated that it has to stop." He said the two nations have reached "a common understanding" against certain<span style="color: Red;">*</span>cyber activities, but "I have to insist that<span style="color: Red;">*</span>our work is not yet done" and "the question now is are words followed by actions."
The president also raised the prospect of sanctions of China, saying the U.S. would use "tools we have in our tool kit<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to go after cybercriminals,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>either retrospectively or prospectively."
The United States and China have also struck a renewed deal to battle climate change, and to open "new channels of communications" designed to avoid confrontations between American and Chinese surveillance flights over the South China Sea, Obama said.
"The United States welcomes the rise of a China that is peaceful, stable, prosperous and a responsible player in global affairs," the president<span style="color: Red;">*</span>said during Xi's state visit. "And I'm committed to expanding our cooperation even as we address disagreements candidly and constructively."
Xi, speaking with an interpreter, described<span style="color: Red;">*</span>his talks with Obama as "constructive and productive," designed to create a respectful relationship "without conflict, without confrontation."<span style="color: Red;">*</span>He also praised the planned cooperation on climate change.
Urging "dialogue" on the question of cybersecurity, Xi said that "confrontation and friction are the not the right choice for both sides." As for the South China Sea, Xi said China would respect lawful surveillance flights but would also protect "our own territorial sovereignty" and "legitimate maritime rights"<span style="color: Red;">*</span>as U.S. allies protest the apparent development of Chinese military bases in the region.
While the United States<span style="color: Red;">*</span>has accused China of serial cyber thefts, and protested its military build-up in the South China Sea, the two leaders trumpeted the updated<span style="color: Red;">*</span>agreement to work together on climate change.
Under the agreement, the two nations say they will develop a "common vision" ahead of a December conference in Paris designed to negotiate a global climate change agreement.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Building on a deal<span style="color: Red;">*</span>signed in 2014, the United States<span style="color: Red;">*</span>and China say they will detail ways to achieve targets for pollution emission cuts and develop new sources of clean energy, as well as new ways to finance these projects.
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Obama clears the air on climate-change deal with China
China is also pledging to establish a new cap-and-trade system, starting in 2017, to essentially charge companies to pay for pollution.
Before Xi visit, the United States has threatened economic sanctions against China over the cyber-theft claims. They include the theft of private business information and millions of personal records via a hack of the U.S. Office of Personnel Management.
China has denied the accusations, and accused the United States of spying on it.
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Speaking with reporters after his meetings, Obama said that —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>when it comes to economic espionage —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>he and Xi "have agreed that neither the U.S. or the Chinese government will conduct or knowingly support cyber-enabled theft of intellectual property, including trade secrets or other confidential business information for commercial advantage."
The president said he also wants<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to see a cybersecurity agreement among nations so that they all<span style="color: Red;">*</span>"know what the rules are," are held accountable when they are broken, and will act in concert<span style="color: Red;">*</span>to go after "non-state actors" who engage in cyber espionage.
In his<span style="color: Red;">*</span>meetings with Xi, Obama echoed U.S. protests of artificial islands that China has built in the South China Sea and stocked with military equipment and air strips. U.S. allies, including Japan and South Korea, describe the emerging military bases as provocations.
In the wake of the military build-up, there have also been near-confrontations between America and Chinese surveillance planes patrolling the region.
Chinese economic problems that have infected U.S. markets were<span style="color: Red;">*</span>another subject of discussion among Obama, Xi, and their aides.
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Across Pennsylvania Avenue from the White House, supporters and opponents of China's communist government chanted competing messages as security officers looked on.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>The loud<span style="color: Red;">*</span>voices of protesters<span style="color: Red;">*</span>could be heard in the Rose Garden as Obama and Xi conducted a news conference.
The state visit had its softer side. As their husbands spoke at the White House, first lady Michelle Obama and Chinese counterpart Peng Liyuan visited Washington's National Zoo to meet with children and gaze at the pandas, gifts courtesy of China.
The first ladies also named the newest panda, born last month:<span style="color: Red;">*</span>Bei Bei.<span style="color: Red;">*</span>They revealed the name —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>in both English and Chinese —<span style="color: Red;">*</span>by unrolling scrolls tied by ribbons,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>with help of two school children.
An early morning welcome ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House, complete with band music, a military review, and a 21-gun salute, preceded the private meetings involving the two presidents and their aides.
During the ceremony, the U.S. president thanked China for the reception it gave Michelle Obama during a recent trip.
"President Xi, I believe that we are both accustomed to being outshone by our dynamic spouses," Obama said.
Both presidents shook hands along the rope line, as children waved U.S. and Chinese flags.
Later on Friday,<span style="color: Red;">*</span>the president and the first lady will<span style="color: Red;">*</span>host a black-tie state dinner for Xi and Peng Liyuan in the East Room of the White House.
"The President and President Xi will each give a toast," says the White House schedule. "Following the dinner, the President and the First Lady will attend the State Dinner reception with President Xi and Madame Peng Liyuan in the State Dining Room."
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