It is famously a sensitive tightrope that Obama is walking in his tour of Asia, particularly in his present visit to three Chinese cities – Shanghai, Beijing, and Hong Kong – although it often seems that he’s walking a tightrope with China’s leading officials more than he is with the Chinese people. China and America are two of the most powerful nations in the world – and China the fastest developing – but the two nations’ futures are immutably tied together, lending added importance to the successful outcome of Obama’s visit. In Shanghai this morning, Obama met with Chinese university students who were able to engage in a rare opportunity for a democracy-style Q&A with him.
There are plenty of widely varying theories as to how carefully prepared these students – and their questions – were, but this is definitely a unique and profoundly important opportunity not only for those students, but as a sign of continued and open cooperation between the two nations’ governments and their people. I am Hollywire’s film writer, but I’ve also been a university teacher in Henan – China’s most populous Province with about 100 million people – for three years, so I’ve been able to take this opportunity to interview some of my own students and offer them the opportunity to express their opinions.
Nevertheless, I am always suspicious of carefully prepared interview sessions like this, in any country, which is why I think a more casual form of interviewing like this is so important in learning how people really feel about certain international news events. You probably remember when Jackie Chan started a firestorm of controversy last year with some comments he made in Hong Kong about freedom for the Chinese people. When that happened, Chan was labelled a fascist and a traitor against his own people and a whole list of other terrible things, so I interviewed hundreds of Chinese students to gauge their emotions, only to find that an astonishing majority of them agreed with him.
Such is often the case with a culture of people who so many times in the past have been invaded, colonized, take advantage of, and lived under harsh governments, but who now stand as a proud product of their past and have also gained a deep understanding of who they are. They’ve never faltered in the fierce, continuing pride in their nationality and their nation, and they’re now one of the most quickly developing and important nations in the current world environment, although also among the world’s most misunderstood.
In Obama’s speech this morning to university students in Shanghai, he tenderly broached the issue of human rights – traditionally one of the Chinese government’s least favorite topics to discuss with foreign powers – by stating that America would “always speak out” in favor of free expression, worship, political participation and access to information — which he called “universal rights.” I’m not sure if Obama’s staff are aware that Twitter, Facebook, and Youtube – among countless other mediums of free expression and information access – are all currently illegal in China, but I asked my students what they thought were the most important issues that Obama should discuss with Chinese President Hu Jintao, and here are some of their responses:
“Both China and America went through the economic crisis last year, so how to deal with solving the crisis is the most important issue that they should discuss. Many Chinese factories have been stricken by the crisis, like American companies, so how to deal with and balance and even increase the trade between the U.S. and China?”
Shi Pan, 25
Gan su Province, China
First, what should powerful and developed countries like the U.S. and China do to protect smaller poverty-stricken countries? We need more fairness between rich and developed countries with smaller, voiceless countries. Second, what cooperations can the U.S. and China make to protect our environment and ecological nature?”
Bai Weiwei, 22
Jin Cheng City, China
The most important thing that the leaders should discuss is how American and Chinese students and people can communicate more effectively and know each other better and have better knowledge and culture exchange. The second important issue is how these two countries can cooperate effectively to enhance the economic development of the world.”
Meng Xiao, 25
Luoyang City, China
“The most important topics that should be discussed are world peace, economic cooperation, and international trade.”
Yao Lili, 26
Luoyang, China
“President Hu Jintao and President Obama should discuss the protection of developing countries. China and America are the two biggest countries in the world and should work together for the peace of the world.”
Zhag Xingxing, 25
Ping Ding Shan, China
North Korea’s nuclear problem has an important meaning to China, so it may have an important influence on the relationship between China and America.”
Li Mingzhu, 22
Xin yang, China
“They need to discuss imports and exports, because the bilateral relationships between China and the U.S. depend on mutual trust in business affairs.”
Yuan Lojuan, 24
Jin Cheng City, China
“China and America should discuss world harmony because they are both powerful not only in economics but also in military affairs, so their good relationship can advance their development.”
Song Ruonan, 22
Luoyang, China
“I think the most important issues that they should discuss should be economic cooperation and the sovereign rights of Taiwan. The Chinese people persist that Taiwan belongs to China, so we hope America should advocate and support our policy.”
Xu Xiaolin, 23
Luoyang, China
There are often conflicts in the news between America and China, so I think they need to disucss how to deal with these problems, and how to promote cultural communication.”
Chen Qianling, 25
Luoyang, China
“Education is an important issue in both America and China, so I think they should discuss the mode and expectations of education.”
Hu Erjuan, 27
Sanmenxia, China
“I think the two most important issues they should discuss are the diplomacy strategies of the two countries and some agreements about bilateral relations.”
Li Lijie, 26
Xu Chang, China
“I think Obama and President Hu should discuss the financial issue, because the U.S. and China should help each other. Also, I think they should discuss the environment of the world. Because the U.S. and China are two of the biggest countries in the world, they should be responsible about the environment.”
Gao Xiaoli, 24
Nan Tong, China
“In my opinion, President Obama and President Hu should discuss cooperations in economy, science and technology, and environmental protection. It is clear that cooperations between the United States and China are beneficial to both countries and their people.”
Zhang Xiaoning, 30
Jiaozuo City, China
“Taiwan is an essential part of China, it should return soon to the motherland. I also think human right is a sensitive question, but they should discuss something about the issue.”
Cao Wangru, 30
Xi’an, China
“As powerful countries, I think they should take measures to protect our environment, because environmental pollution is getting so serious and has an impact on our life. Also, in the future, I think it’s better to have more events like this to improve our cultural interaction.”
Zhang Juan, 22
Sanmenxia, China
“Personally, I think they should try to seek approaches to alleviate the contradictions of trade deficit. At the same time, they should make out certain plans that China and the U.S. can follow to bridge political and economic gaps.”
Wang Junbo, 30
Luoyang, China
“I think all students are influenced by the economic crisis, so they should discuss how to solve the problem of university students’ unemployment.”
Zhan Xuemei, 23
Zhou Kou City, China
“I think the most important topics that Obama and President Hu should discuss are ways to deal with the financial tsunami and how to improve our bilateral relationship, especially in some sensitive issues, like Taiwan. The Taiwan issue is always a sensitive issue for both China and America, so it must not be ignored.”
Zhou Yuan, 23
Luoyang, China
November 16th, 2009 at 11:22 am
All of those students brought interesting question, I wonder how Obama would answer them
November 16th, 2009 at 7:38 pm
well, you can ask more chinese people about this topic,like university teachers.They have more life experience.
November 17th, 2009 at 3:06 am
Well, I believe the best way to remove misunderstanding lies in the constant exchnge among various nations. Mr Obama’s open and free interaction with the Chinese youth, especially college students, is certainly a wise motive. I tremendously appreciate his speech about “universal rights”, which includes free expression, worship, political participation and access to information. It is obvious that China still has plenty of work to do in these fields.
November 17th, 2009 at 5:08 am
Through so many reports at the beginning of the month, we coule see it is actually a extraordinary visit for Chinese people.We cheer for joy,we are happy to see the exciting scene…I see form the news that in fact Chinese college students do sit in the auditorium to share their thoughts,to watch and pay more attention to another countries positively…in my sence,without this assenment ,all I do maybe talk about the visit with my friends or dormates:it is such a good time and we meet with such a moment and then, how about our next exams, that’s all.We may excuse ourselves for more academic jobs to do.About such moments we have no more comments even arguments.May it be a opener and more advanced education system handed down to the next generations.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:00 am
As far as I am concern the two leaders should talk about the harmony and cooperation between the two countries.certainly this valuable visit laided strong foundition for our two countries to make tighter friendships.
With no doubt, China and America are two powerful nations, I think if they continuously contact with each other, they both will benefit a lot from this special wing
November 17th, 2009 at 6:03 am
The visit of President Obama will mark a good beginning of the new friendly relationship between China and America. The issues that should be discussed may still be the relationship between China and America. As both China and America are the big and important countries in the world, the relationship and cooperation will influence the other countries. The education system of China maybe discussed too. Nowadays, the development of a country relays much on technology and technics, so an advanced education system will make China integrate with the world much better.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:12 am
From my standing point,the most important issues between the two country’s heads would concentrate on the future communication with each other.It includes three main proplems:firstly,how to promote the relationship(raising the specific measures);secondly, how to improve the image of two countries;thirdly,the potencial coopration of two county’s economy.All in all,the main topic is how to via methods to enhance the economy.
November 17th, 2009 at 6:51 am
I look forward to the visit of Obama.From the moment he became the president of United States,I have high expectations of him.I hope he can improve the relationships between China and America,although we may have many different opinions,but I don’t think we can make everything solved,we should make everything exists with each other harmonly,and do not force someone’s own opinion on others and make others change.
Besides,I think it is of great importance for him to visit China in this special occasion when the whole world has been influenced by the econmic crises,so i think the two leaders should discuss and make solutions to such situation and improve our economy by corporation.
November 17th, 2009 at 7:55 am
This interview of Obama to visit China is in a special circumstances.China is a new era under the pressure of the world financial crisis, Therefore the significance of Obama’s visit to China is more important，For promoting the two countries toward a positive and constructive role in comprehensive development of relations is very important,Just as mentioned in the article ,China and America are the most powerful country in the world, obsolutely we should make peace and harmony each other and encounter ,solve the problem together. I believe that the future of our two countries are promising.Besides he dilivered the speech in the university also stressed the important role of young people. The new generation are the most important part of a country,maybe the president also can know more about China by the communication.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:45 pm
It is no denial that as influential forces in the world,China and US have quite different political systems. And the only way to know each other is by no means other than media and newspaper reports. Recently,US president Barack Obama’s visit to China will certainly bridge the way to some extent for our Chinese youth have a better understanding of America and know more about its great efforts to the world.There are many things we young Chinese students want to know such as the reiterated question about human rights.Though we have differences,there is a wide variety of common interets,so the cooperation between the two countries is promising.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:58 pm
I think this day should be a really big day for both China and America.I have been looking forward to President Obama’s visit to China for a long time.And I’m really very happy to see the two countries in a good relationship.As big two in the world,China and America have a lot of issues to settle.President Obama’s first visit to China would be of great magnitude to both countries.After the economic crisis last year ,both of us suffered a lot,and the globle warming issue,Taiwan problem….There are really a great deal of problems to solve. And I hope the two lears would have a frank conservation with each other and reach an agreement at last.At last,I’m really looking forward to “universal rights”.
November 17th, 2009 at 9:59 pm
President Obama visited China will surely make a significant effect on China. Visiting can not only deepen the understanding of the two countrys’culture, socity and other issues, but also improve the cooperation between America and China. China and America are the two important big countries in the world, and the two also have many different aspects.The visit offer us a opportunity to see things in their,that is, in a different respective.We can learn from the stongs and make it contribution to the development. Besides, the world economic climate is not good, and maybe the situation will be slightly relieved with the cooperation trade and other economic measures that are taken.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:07 pm
Tt is definitely a unique and proundly opportunity for those university students to meet Obama closely.They are so lucky.
And I think Obama and President Hu’s disscussion should include following topics:
(1)To discuss cooperations in economy,science and technology,especially environmental protection;
(2)To discuss some issues like the sovereign rights of Taiwan,finicial issue;
(3)To seek approaches to alleviate the contradictions of trade deficit.
But for myself,I’m concerned more about economic crisis because we are students deeply influenced by this unexpected incident.I hope the two leaders could find solution to university students` unemployment.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:28 pm
I also think that China is misunderstood sometimes,partly bacause of the different culture between China and the Western countries and partly because of the false impression from Chinese movies.Some foreign people haven’t really know Chinese culture and Chinese People.Therefore,President Obama’ visit to China could help him know more about China and deepen his understanding of China and China’s vision of the future.Of course, President Obama’ visit could also help the World know China.Meanwhile, Obama’s visit will develop the economic cooperation and help to deal with some issues.
November 17th, 2009 at 10:46 pm
I remember that during last year’s U.S. presidential election, I began to pay attention to Mr. Obama , this is mainly affected by our foreign teacher who come from US and married a Chinese girl and have a lovely baby. He said he loves the United States and he loves China too. he hoped both the two countries are getting better and better, but his mother country United States is now sick because of wars, or that the former President, Mr. Bush. The emergence of Mr. Obama made him very excited, he said it could be a turning point. As a university student, if you ask me the react to President Obama ’s visit , I think is anticipation , expect him to bring new surprises to the relationship between the two countries . We are very sober,China is not yet qualified with the United States on an equal footing, in many interests, we are unable to fight for. But the United States should also respect China’s sovereignty, especially in Tibet, Taiwan. Our national leadership may be gentle and elegant, but our people are blood boil, because this is our motherland, about our fundamental interests. President Obama’s term has just started, Now say anything is too early, looks like the Nobel Peace Prize. I can say is let’s wait and see .
Vivian
November 17th, 2009 at 11:33 pm
There maybe some reasons why Obama choose Shanghai and communicate with students come from the universities of Shanghai as the first step of visiting China. We know that the relationship between America and China depends on the young generation, and for Obama himself,it is a good opportunity to show America as well as himself, meanwhile,it is also a challenge for him to attract them with his personal charm. As two most powerful countries, it is neccessarily to talk about some essential issues and solve these problems together. The visit of president Obama shows a good beginning of the new cooperation between the two countries.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:41 pm
This is President Abama’s first visit to China, which will surely increase our two countries’ cooperation and make our two countries understand each other furtherly.
I think the two Presidents’disscusstion should focus on the economic crisis and the climate changes in globle.Because the economic crisis had influenced our two countries’economy and the issues of employment.As for the two largest energy consumer and producer countries,our two countries should find a way to save our energy’s spending and protect our environment as a example for other countries.what’more,I think the issues of Taiwan is a sensitive issue too.
I also think that free expresstion shoud be advocated in China,China should learn this from America.Our education system is not very good too.
November 17th, 2009 at 11:50 pm
As far as i am concerned , Oboma’s visit is very special , his behavior made me surprise, with the development of the stitution, the two countries communication become more and more frequently, i am interested in America’s culture, and i indeed from Oboma’s visit ,our two countries friendship will become more deep , and the friendship will last forever.
President Oboma meet our chinese universty students made me quite surpriese,and i was removed deeply by his personal charm ,a friendly president ,his behavior will also promot our two countries trade development,i think this is a good beginning.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:02 am
First,economic crisis influenced the graduated students’employment,unemployment has become a severe problem,both China and America have responsibility to discuss and solve this problem,some measures must be taken timely.
Second,Hunman rights is a sensive question for China,expecially for Chinese government,maybe sometimes feerdom was restricted because of some special policy and traditional cultrue.I don’t think Youtube,Facebook,Twitter are illegal in China,these websites more or less have unsafe factors.However,China have a great deal of work to do to guarantee our rights can come true entirely.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:08 am
In the estimation of me,president Obama’s visit will enhance the friendly relations between the two countries and promote the common development of bilateral economic and political.Frankly speaking,I’m not very interested in the politics,especially tne political news abroad,but since Obama became the president,I began to concern about the relationship between the two countries.Maybe it is the development of a new diplomatic phase since the former president George W. Bush.Therefore ,if possible,I hope president Obama will visit China next time. But not for the political reason,but for enhancing mutually beneficial cooperation and common progress between the two countries in the next two days.
As for the issues discussed between the two countries should work together to are the followings:
Firstly,as two bigger countries in the world,we should work together to face up to the economic criesis,to promote the mutual development of economy.
Secondly,the two countries need to face up to the global warming issue,which is a severe problem at present.as the two bigger countries in the world,we must work together to take some meassures to protect the environment,and also we shou call upon other countries in the word to do their best to protect our home,our planet.
Thirdly,the two countries need to talk about the Iran’s nuclear issue and the Taiwan issue.Taiwan has always been a part of the Chinese nation, so we hope that the United States can show their own attitudes clearly.We look forward to Taiwan’s return to the motherland at an early date, at the same time, we also look forward to, in this issue, Obama can actively support us.
Therefore ,it is really a good opportunity to enchance the relationship between the two countries,I hope the visit will add a new page not only to ourselves ,but also to America.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:11 am
We have 2 admit that Mr. Obama is a wise president. He knows which way that US now should take, especially 2 get along well with China. China now has great influence and fast developing economy which is exactly US need 2 cooperate with. Standing at the peak, with head down. Obama really did something that people like, and he does give people the hope. Obama doesnt wanna quit leading the world, just want a powerful company to lead the world together. It’s good for both sides. The reason that Obama stessed on one China policy is because now US dont want any troubles get in the way to cooperate with China, but US government wouldnt just put Taiwan or Tibet questions away.
Taylor
November 18th, 2009 at 12:20 am
Until now, we all can see the great achievement—The Joint Statement—of the official talks of President Obama and President Hu. I believe that President Obama’s china visit will bring us more surprises. Indeed, the two presidents of the powerful countries can not solve all the problems in the world, but it is known that their official talks will influence the relationship of America and China, even the world.
After Bush’s eight years in power, Obama’s office brings us some new hope, and his visit in the first year of his term of office attracts the attention all over the world. As a university student, I really envied those guys who had the opportunity to communicate directly with President Obama. But, in reality, I was so surprised that Mr. Obama would give such an opportunity with a style of Q&A, and answered all of the Chinese students’ questions directly and frankly. The communication is so important between America and China, not only the leaders but also the people, particularly the youth.
Obama said “Our relationship has not been without disagreement and difficulty. But the notion that we must be adversaries is not predestined — not when we consider the past. Indeed, because of our cooperation, both the United States and China are more prosperous and more secure. We have seen what is possible when we build upon our mutual interests, and engage on the basis of mutual respect.”, Enhancing mutual understanding is the most effective way to eliminate barriers and resolve disputes.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:21 am
I seldom concerned about the politics, but for Obama – the first black U.S. president took office, I am proud for the black.Perhaps for our Chinese people, looking forward to the arrival of U.S. President Obama has been a very long time. We Hope that his arrival will further the friendships of Chinese and American. At the same time, for such a young president, I think he also have some unique views about the financial crisis, global warming and other issues. I hope that these phenomena can be obtained with the ease of his tenure.
November 18th, 2009 at 12:39 am
In the history, the U.S President Richard Nixon started his “ice-breaking” visit to China in 1972, which marked the beginning of a normalization process for relations between China and the United States. Now 37 years later, President Obama visits China, which is really a significant moment to Chinese people.
From your article, the Chinese unniversity students pay more attention to the issues of the world peace, economic cooperation, international trade, cultural communication, the mode and specifications of the education, sovereign rights of Taiwan.
To some extent, President Obama’s visit marks the future establishing of the win-win situation where the politcs is stable, the culture is harmonious and the economy is mutual-benefit.
November 18th, 2009 at 1:08 am
Barack Obama was the first American President who has been in office for less than a year to vist China. Now it’s the very time for the two nation’s presidents to meet with each other. It’s a promising step.
President Obama should discuss the following issues with President Hu Jintao:
Firstly,the climate change .What actions ,measures and responsibilities should each nation take to make humans harmoniously coexist with nature.
What’s more,how should the two nations cooperate to make the foreign trade more successfull, especially during the economic crisis.
And the sensitive issue,the sovereign rights of Taiwan shouldn’t be ignored.
Last,how the two countries should do to learn from each other and enhance mutual respect and communication.
November 18th, 2009 at 2:14 am
As for this event of Obama’s visit to China,frankly speaking,I am so pleased and excited to express my own viewpoint.In fact,I am a girl who is also not interested in the political affairs.But about Obama,I Can’t help showing my interest in him,because he is a capable president of US and he is more concerned about China.
After seeing this passage,I obtain a number of sincere feelings.In an American’s opinion,it seems more pleased to see the friendly contact between China and US.Insofar as I can see,it is important that China can get on well with US.President Obama has given us some promissing hope on it,and he is more considerate and kind to China.He does neither always praise China nor cricize the shortcomings of Chinese development.He just presents some wonderful expectations and encouragements to China.As far as I am concerned,this trumiphs over the former President’s visit.
Chinese President Hu and US President Obama have discussed some events on climate change,foreign trade and the formidable issue about Taiwan and so on.It is more effective for the progression of friendship between US and China.
Finally,I wish China and US both have a bright future and these two nations can have more contacts and develop greatly!
November 18th, 2009 at 2:53 am
Obama is smart.His action of visiting China has won many Chinese people’s hearts.For the young people,.it’s really a rare opportunity for them to communicate with this great president directly.In the other side,president can know clearly about what a big competition country’s young people think.Isn’t it good for him to develop further?ofcourse yes.
Even though there are many different ideas between our two country,we are also expecting more cooperation and to develop together.But i still hope he can state his idea clearly about some sensitive problems like Taiwan problem and military affairs.And i also hope some problems about foreign economic trade and environment which maybe put forward when Obama meet our president Hu can have some measures to take.
Let’s rub our eyes and wait for more cooperation between us !
November 18th, 2009 at 4:34 am
We are looking forward to the US president Obama’visit to China for a long time ,and now come to the most exciting moment.We chinese give warm welcome to president Obama’visit.Our president Hu Jintao and president Obama have exchanged opinions on issues including climate change,newclear exploration and economic cooperation .And what concerns we students most is whether the new presidnent can make a big difference compared with the former one and whether China and the US can become good partners both on economic developement and keeping the world peace.Though there are many differences between China and US ,we hope both of the two nations have a bright future and make their best effors to keep the world peace .