China, US to address differences ‘candidly’ as Barack Obama welcomes Xi Jinping to White House

Obama welcomes Xi to White House, urging frank discussion over issues that have strained ties

Reading Time:2 minutes

Published: 11:45pm, 25 Sep 2015Updated: 8:36pm, 28 Sep 2015

President Xi Jinping and his first lady Peng Liyuan join US President Barack Obama and his wife Michelle in greeting people at the White House yesterday as the state visit continued. Photo: AFP

US President Barack Obama yesterday said he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping must address their differences "candidly", specifically raising the importance of protecting human rights.

"Even as our nations cooperate, I believe - and I know you agree - that we must address our differences candidly," Obama said as he welcomed Xi to the White House. "The United States will always speak out on behalf of fundamental truths. We believe nations are more successful … when our companies compete on a level playing field, when disputes are resolved peacefully and when the universal human rights of all people are upheld."

Xi said Sino-US relations had entered a new starting point, which required the two powers to enhance win-win cooperation.

"[Our] bilateral relationship … must be defined by peace, respect and cooperation," he said.

The two leaders met amid great pomp, with a military honour guard and a fife and drum corps on the White House lawn to welcome Xi.