Donilon describes highlights of US-China talks

Highlights of issues President Barack Obama discussed with Chinese President Xi Jinping during a weekend summit, as described by White House national security adviser Tom Donilon during a briefing for U.S. and Chinese media at the Westin Resort in Rancho Mirage after the talks had concluded:

Cybersecurity: Obama described the types of problems the U.S. has faced from cyber intrusions and intellectual property theft officials believe is coming from inside China. He requested that the Chinese government “engage” on the issue as well as understand that that type of activity is inconsistent with the relationship the U.S. desires to build with China.

Donilon gave no specifics, but says Obama also underscored for Chinese President Xi Jinpingthat the U.S. has no doubt that the intrusions are coming from inside China.

North Korea: The presidents agreed that North Korea must denuclearize; neither president will accept North Korea as a nuclear-armed state.

Economic issues: Were discussed, largely in the context of cybersecurity.

Human rights: Aides had said before the meeting that Obama would raise the issue with Xi; Donilon offered no details on what was said.

China-Japan tension: Obama points to Xi were that both sides should seek to de-escalate tensions and communicate through diplomatic channels.

Military-to-military ties: Were discussed, continue to be part of U.S.-China discussions.