SPIEGEL ONLINE INTERNATIONAL: Though President Obama has not shied away from discussing human rights and censorship on his three-day trip to China, German commentators argue that growing US dependence on China has taken the thunder out of his rhetoric.
It wasn't the kind of town hall meeting that US President Barack Obama normally engages in. Instead of lively debate and tough questions, his audience of handpicked university students in Shanghai was largely passive as they listened to Obama speak of how relaxed Internet laws and free speech were "a source of strength (that) should be encouraged." Using carefully chosen words, he also mentioned human rights.
Obama was eager to avoid offending his hosts. But the Chinese proved even more eager to ensure that few listened in on the Q&A with the president. According to the Associated Press, only one local television station carried the event live. It took four clicks to get to Obama's comments on the Chinese-language transcript published on the Web site of the official Xinhua News Agency. Audio and video feeds of the event were delayed and of poor quality. Bloggers had their transcripts of the event taken down by censors. And coverage in the media generally glossed over any of the comments Obama made on touchier issues.
The trip gives Obama a chance to speak with Chinese President Hu Jintao about a host of issues affecting the two countries, including climate change, the ongoing global financial crisis and nuclear proliferation concerns in Iran and North Korea. But the US is in a new position of dependency in its relations with China. Not only is China the largest foreign holder of US debt, but -- thanks in part to an artificially undervalued yen -- also has a giant trade surplus with the US. Obama seemed intent on treading softly. German commentators on Tuesday take a closer look at the new US tone in China. … >>> Josh Ward | Tuesday, November 17, 2009
