U.S. and China: A Summit That Left Everyone Happy

The state visit of Hu Jintao to Washington did not produce any historic agreement between the two countries that are called upon to govern the fate of world order in the coming decades. However, both parties can consider themselves satisfied because they managed to tackle the proposals for internal politics that they sought.

In spite of participating “outside of his territory,” the Chinese leader presented himself before the summit in a position of strength. Thanks to a stimulus package containing tremendous proportions, China has managed to dodge the economic crisis that has increased unemployment rates of the more developed countries. In the meantime, they are controlling the rise so as to not create any strong imbalances that disturb social order.

Consequently, Jintao’s goal was simply to not yield to U.S. pressure beyond what Chinese national interests dictate. Upon his replacement in 2012, the president hopes that Washington’s recognition of the powerful role played by China is remembered in his legacy. Hence, it cannot be stressed enough that “mutual respect” should be the basis of their relations.

Meanwhile, Obama’s objective was twofold: one issue was to extract concessions in trade and security, and the other was to publicly display firmness in the defense of U.S. interests and values. Upon failure to see if Jintao’s good words translated into change in his monetary and trade policies, Obama’s first proposal was achieved halfway.

According to the New York Times, North Korea’s request to resume negotiations is the outcome of Chinese pressure, which resulted after Obama warned Jintao in a private dinner on Tuesday that he would send additional troops to the region if the Chinese leader did not act quickly in support of their North Korean ally. Beijing would have to act immediately— after all, they want the U.S. military to stay as far away as possible from their borders.

On the other hand, the second objective was delightfully obtained. Often criticized for showing too much of a deferential attitude to autocrats, Obama allowed his guest to lecture for the first time in public— and on repeated occasions— concerning the need for respecting human rights, an attitude that causes a real bitterness between Chinese Communist leaders.

Obviously, the muzzled Chinese press ignored Obama’s comments on human rights, as well as Hu Jintao’s surprising answer in the joint press conference. “China has always been committed to promoting and respecting human rights…The progresses that we have made have been widely recognized, but there are still many things remaining to be done,” the Communist leader said before the astonishment of many of the attendees.

Thus, the summit left everyone happy, with the exception of the hundreds of Tibetan and Uighur activists that gathered in front of the White House to protest. We must wait a few months to see if the meeting truly served to calm the growing tensions between the two countries and to improve their understanding— or if they were just simply snapping a few “family photos.”