“Broad agenda” planned for superpowers meeting
Journalists from CBS Local 2 and News Channel 3 took part in a conference call with White House officials today to discuss President Obama’s upcoming meetings with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the Sunnylands estate in Rancho Mirage.
The Presidents will take part in a series of formal and informal meetings on June 7 and 8.
Officials described the meetings as “wide-ranging, informal talks to forge a working relationship” between President Obama and President Xi. There is no detailed agenda. Both presidents will discuss a number of issues including cyber security and North Korea. The meetings will be less scripted, less formal and less rigid than other state visits. White House officials hope the meetings will strengthen relations between the US and China.
The meetings will take place early during President Obama’s second term and early in Xi’s presidency. This is not the first time the two men have met. President Obama hosted Xi when he was Vice President of China.
White House officials did not call this a summit. White House officials say President Obama hopes to get to know the new President of China and build a personal relationship with him. Mr. Obama plans to discuss his priorities and concerns for the Asia Pacific regeion. The President also hopes to discover areas of cooperation and convergence between the US and China and avoid conflicts and rivalries between our two countries.
The meetings will also cover how our militaries can work together more closely.
White House officials described the President of China as “well established in the Chinese system.” They also say he’s fast on his feet and different from previous Chinese leaders.
Cyber security will be high on the list of topics of discussion between President Obama and President Xi.
White House officials described cyber security as a major threat to US businesses, the US military and the US economy. Although China has been the focus of cyber concerns in the United States, this issue involves other countries.
President Obama plans to ask the Chinese leader to abide by international law and aggressively investigate cyber hacking within his country’s borders. President Obama hopes the Chinese leader will meet his responsibility to stop cyber hacking.
