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[Blablurn]

U.S. President Barack Obama pressed his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping on Saturday on territorial disputes in the South China Sea, urging Beijing to uphold its legal obligations and stressing the United States' commitments to its regional allies.

Xi said China would continue to safeguard its sovereignty and maritime rights in the South China Sea, according to a statement on the Chinese foreign ministry's website.

The two leaders and their delegations met for over four hours before Obama and Xi talked one-on-one as they took a night-time stroll.

Tensions over the disputed waters between China and its neighbors were expected to hang over the G20 summit, which opens in the eastern Chinese city of Hangzhou on Sunday.

China is keen to ensure a smooth summit, its highest profile event of the year, as it looks to enhance its global standing and avoid acrimony over a long list of tensions with Washington.

Obama, now in the last five months of his presidency, wants to put a final stamp on his signature policy shift toward the Pacific, setting the tone for his White House successor, who will be elected in November and take office on Jan. 20.

He has invested in developing closer ties with nations in Southeast Asia, and is taking pains in his last scheduled trip to the region to reassure partners worried about the economic and military might of China.

After the meetings with Xi and his top officials, Obama emphasized the importance for China to "abide by its obligations" to an international maritime treaty in the dispute over rights to a territory rich in oil and fish through which $5 trillion in trade travels each year.

An arbitration court in The Hague ruled in July that China had no historic title over the waters of the South China Sea and had infringed on the rights of the Philippines, which brought the case under the U.N. Convention on the Law of the Sea.

Beijing rejected the ruling and accused the United States of stirring up trouble in the sea where China's territorial claims overlap in parts with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

However, Xi said in his talks with Obama that China "will persist in peacefully resolving disputes through consultations with parties directly involved". He urged the United States to "play a constructive role" in the peace and stability of the region.

In an unusually lengthy statement following the meeting, the White House said Obama had "underscored the United States' unwavering commitment to the security of its treaty allies."

"The president reaffirmed that the United States will work with all countries in the region to uphold the principles of international law, unimpeded lawful commerce, and freedom of navigation and over-flight," the White House said.

China's Foreign Ministry, in a separate statement, said the United States should drop its "double standards on the South China Sea" and play a constructive role in maintaining regional peace and stability.

'CANDID' TALKS, ENDING IN A NIGHTTIME STROLL

Obama is at his last summit of the world's 20 major economies, and the White House said the Hangzhou visit would likely be his final meeting as president with Xi, with whom he has grappled over hacking incidents, commercial tensions, and differences over human rights.

Obama stressed the need for a "an open trade and investment environment" and "the need for China to protect religious freedom for all of its citizens," the White House said.

China rejects criticism of its human rights record, arguing it has lifted millions out of poverty.

Cyber issues, from concern over hacking and cyber espionage to emerging Chinese policies on information technology that foreign companies fear could limit their operations in the country, have also strained ties.

The visit got off to a rocky start when a Chinese government official angrily scuffled with Obama's top national security adviser, Susan Rice, at the airport, and yelled at a press aide.

Obama and Xi tried to strike a cooperative tone, formally agreeing to join the Paris agreement to curb climate-warming emissions, a deal they worked together to cement.

But then they got down to more thorny issues. For his part, Xi told Obama that China objects to the deployment of a U.S. missile shield in South Korea to help protect against the North Korean nuclear threat.

Xi also told Obama it was the responsibility of China and the United States to carry out a successful G20 summit and to "inject momentum to the global economy while lifting confidence," Xinhua said.

After lengthy discussions in which they were flanked by their top security and economic advisers, the two leaders talked one-on-one as they took a stroll around the picturesque West Lake, where Xi is hosting the G20 summit.

Video footage of the walk showed Xi asking Obama about his daily exercise routine, and describing growth and change in the region as the leaders sat down for tea.

"We're also setting the stage so that the next U.S. administration comes in with a relationship that is on a strong and productive footing," Obama told Xi.

(Reporting by Roberta Rampton; Writing by Michael Martina; Editing by Gareth Jones, James Dalgleish and Raju Gopalakrishnan)

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-g20-china-usa-idUSKCN1190E9

Seems like they had lots to talk about. But in the end you can't deny historial facts obviously. I still hope they find a consensus.

 

[Branduil]

But then they got down to more thorny issues. For his part, Xi told Obama that China objects to the deployment of a U.S. missile shield in South Korea to help protect against the North Korean nuclear threat.

Well, maybe stop supporting the most insipidly evil nation on Earth, then.

 

[Barajas_201]

Well, maybe stop supporting the most insipidly evil nation on Earth, then.

Saudi Arabia?

 

[kmfdmpig]

Saudi Arabia?

Saudi Arabia is certainly awful, but compared to North Korea they're saints (as is any nation).

 

[Barajas_201]

Saudi Arabia is certainly awful, but compared to North Korea they're saints (as is any nation).

No they are not. I don't see NK aggressively spreading kimjongunsim and making terrorist groups around the world like the Saudis with wahhabism.

 

[Condom]

Guys, who is evil and who is good depends on who is shelling your home that particular day or who is executing your family members. Many victims of violence and oppression around the world may respond to the question 'who is the most evil' with the US, Russia, China, NK, SA, Israel, Iran and whatever the fuck.

Very few are innocent, who is the most evil is thus a stupid game to play

 

[Lagspike_exe]

Xi pumping out those hypersonic anti ship missiles like Khruschev did with nukes in 1960s.

 

[4Tran]

http://www.reuters.com/article/us-g20-china-usa-idUSKCN1190E9

Seems like they had lots to talk about. But in the end you can't deny historial facts obviously. I still hope they find a consensus.

Wow, it looks like things are off to a cracking start! Hopefully the actual matters on discussion go better.

Well, maybe stop supporting the most insipidly evil nation on Earth, then.

Bear in mind that China isn't actually fond of North Korea, and that if they drop all support, then they also lose what little leverage they have over the regime. Moreover, the last thing that China wants (or anyone else for that matter) is for North Korea to completely fall apart.

 

[Suikoguy]

No they are not. I don't see NK aggressively spreading kimjongunsim and making terrorist groups around the world like the Saudis with wahhabism.

You have now been made a mod on /r/pyongyang

Beijing rejected the ruling and accused the United States of stirring up trouble in the sea where China's territorial claims overlap in parts with Vietnam, the Philippines, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan.

Talk about an understatement!

 

[demosthenes]

No they are not. I don't see NK aggressively spreading kimjongunsim and making terrorist groups around the world like the Saudis with wahhabism.

I don't think they're a saint, but the government has state sanctioned: drug trafficking, kid napping and hacking.

 

[Antiwhippy]

Saudi Arabia is certainly awful, but compared to North Korea they're saints (as is any nation).

At least north korea's evil is isolated to their country.

Saudi arabia's influence can be felt throughout the middle east and the world.

 

[nephilimdj]

USA is just upset that China is finally making agreements with Philippines and Taiwan, world police losing to civil court

 

[Blablurn]

A Chinese official aggressively tried to stop US National Security Advisor Susan Rice from joining President Barack Obama's motorcade, after Air Force One landed in China for the G20 summit.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-TyLzNvN2iA

And..

Chinese authorities have rolled out the red carpet for leaders including India’s prime pinister Narendra Modi, Russian president Vladimir Putin, South Korean president Park Geun-hye, Brazil’s president Michel Temer and British prime minister Theresa May, who touched down on Sunday morning.

But the leader of the world’s largest economy, who is on his final tour of Asia, was forced to disembark from Air Force One through a little-used exit in the plane’s belly after no rolling staircase was provided when he landed in the eastern Chinese city on Saturday afternoon.

 

[Barajas_201]

You have now been made a mod on /r/pyongyang

What if I told you that stating facts like Saudi Arabia being worst than NK does not make me a NK supporter.

I don't think they're a saint, but the government has state sanctioned: drug trafficking, kid napping and hacking.

And I don't deny that but saying that Saudi Arabia are saints in comparison to NK is ridiculous.

 

[pa22word]

We'd have a lot more leverage if we'd stop throwing a fit about TPP and just pass it already.

Fun fact, no one who voted for fast track authority got the boot in the primaries. Hopefully McConnell will get off his ass now and call a fucking vote.

 

[erlim]

Maybe these horrible co-produced films with China will end now.

 

[Xe4]

What if I told you that stating facts like Saudi Arabia being worst than NK does not make me a NK supporter.



And I don't deny that but saying that Saudi Arabia are saints in comparison to NK is ridiculous.

Saudi Arabia doesn't have death camps where it puts anyone who disagrees with them or threatens them in the slightest.

 

[Raysoul]

USA is just upset that China is finally making agreements with Philippines and Taiwan, world police losing to civil court

Half-assed agreements. China will never surrender those islands.

 

[Lagspike_exe]

Saudi Arabia doesn't have death camps where it puts anyone who disagrees with them or threatens them in the slightest.

No it just burns women for "witchcraft" and decapitates people it doesn't feel fit.

 

[numble]

We'd have a lot more leverage if we'd stop throwing a fit about TPP and just pass it already.

Fun fact, no one who voted for fast track authority got the boot in the primaries. Hopefully McConnell will get off his ass now and call a fucking vote.

How is that leverage? The leverage is in the BIT being negotiated with China, no? Explain how passing the TPP makes China more cooperative with the US.

 

[poodpick]

Saudi Arabia doesn't have death camps where it puts anyone who disagrees with them or threatens them in the slightest.

Are you familiar with the Saudi penal system? Because it sounds exactly as you described in your post.

 

[chillybright]

So how did this turned into a "whose pawn is more evil" argument?

They are both representing each nation's interest, and in this particular time it is mainly about the leverages in TPP.

 

[pa22word]

How is that leverage? The leverage is in the BIT being negotiated with China, no? Explain how passing the TPP makes China more cooperative with the US.

It makes us closer to the people actually being shook down by China, and if it fails gives China a hell of a lot more leeway when they tell the countries being effected by their aggressive stance "see? US doesn't care and is a fickle friend in even the best of times. They won't be there for you when the chips are down, so toe the line or be steamrolled"

Asia isn't going to wait on us forever. If the Pivot is to succeed, there has to be real policy coming from it. If the US's biggest foreign policy initiative for the Pivot blows up solely because of the US after allies have expended hellacious amounts of political capital getting it through it will be a disaster for relations in the area. Especially over something that should pass so mind numbingly easy as a free trade deal negotiated by a democratic president with a republican controlled senate.

 

[nephilimdj]

Half-assed agreements. China will never surrender those islands.

Asia is full of water disputes that will never be full agreements

edit: gave a bad example

 

[Xe4]

No it just burns women for "witchcraft" and decapitates people it doesn't feel fit.

I'd put the shit NK does to its populace as worse than that, just as I would any other country thst genocides it's people.

Are you familiar with the Saudi penal system? Because it sounds exactly as you described in your post.

Naw, Saudi Arabi is bad, but NK goes hard...

NSFW/NSFL
http://i.imgur.com/aQahKsQ.jpg
http://i.imgur.com/lLFWs4W.webp
http://i.imgur.com/HFyZEk1.webp

 

[Bowdz]

We'd have a lot more leverage if we'd stop throwing a fit about TPP and just pass it already.

Fun fact, no one who voted for fast track authority got the boot in the primaries. Hopefully McConnell will get off his ass now and call a fucking vote.

I couldn't have put it any better. I completely agree.

 

[Raysoul]

Asia is full of water disputes that will never be full agreements, I mean Australia doesn't even have a legal agreement with Indonesia

It is not just a water dispute. China built a goddamn military base on those islands, while harassing fishermen from the SEA countries. While US might benefit from this action, this would be a better course than China completely taking control.

 

[Paskil]

"We're also setting the stage so that the next U.S. administration comes in with a relationship that is on a strong and productive footing," Obama told Xi.

President Trump will determine what a productive footing means for the United States.

 

[DXB-KNIGHT]

No they are not. I don't see NK aggressively spreading kimjongunsim and making terrorist groups around the world like the Saudis with wahhabism.

Mixing Sunnism with AL Qaida and ISIS is like mixing the Shia as a sect with Hezboloah

 

[andythinkpad]

Obama has been saying pivot to asia since the beginning of his presidency. Main while China has built 10+ man made islands in South China Sea.

 

[numble]

It makes us closer to the people actually being shook down by China, and if it fails gives China a hell of a lot more leeway when they tell the countries being effected by their aggressive stance "see? US doesn't care and is a fickle friend in even the best of times. They won't be there for you when the chips are down, so toe the line or be steamrolled"

Asia isn't going to wait on us forever. If the Pivot is to succeed, there has to be real policy coming from it. If the US's biggest foreign policy initiative for the Pivot blows up solely because of the US after allies have expended hellacious amounts of political capital getting it through it will be a disaster for relations in the area. Especially over something that should pass so mind numbingly easy as a free trade deal negotiated by a democratic president with a republican controlled senate.

The Philippines is the major party being affected by the South China Sea actions. Obama was pressing China on the arbitration decision regarding the case between the Philippines and China. Philippines and China are not a part of the TPP.

The exaggerations of the geopolitical implications of the TPP are the worst part of its ratification process. It has the effect of giving incremental tax cuts to trading corporations who are already enjoying low trade barriers under the WTO. It is not going to make Americans feel closer to Chile or Singapore or Malaysia or any of the other TPP partners.

 

[LouisaFerre]

We'd have a lot more leverage if we'd stop throwing a fit about TPP and just pass it already.

Fun fact, no one who voted for fast track authority got the boot in the primaries. Hopefully McConnell will get off his ass now and call a fucking vote.

If they wanted to have an easier time they probably shouldn't have made it severely erode consumer protections in favor of corporate ones .

I get the desire to put economic pressure on China but I should not have to swallow that kind of shit for that.