President Obama Welcomes President Hu of China to the White House

Ed. Note: Read the White House fact sheets on some of the economic and commercial issues being discussed today.

In a sense, China's State Visit to the United States had already begun by the time of the Arrival Ceremony this morning, with President Obama and President Hu joining a working dinner the night before.  But the ceremony was no less grand for it, as both Presidents took part in the customary reviewing of the troops.  And of course there was a great deal of work left ahead (see our live-streaming schedule for a sense of it), with each President beginning the day with calls for more productive cooperation between the two nations -- and President Obama acknowledging that some may be skeptical of the possibilities:

At a time when some doubt the benefits of cooperation between the United States and China, this visit is also a chance to demonstrate a simple truth.  We have an enormous stake in each other’s success.  In an interconnected world, in a global economy, nations -- including our own -- will be more prosperous and more secure when we work together.
 
The United States welcomes China’s rise as a strong, prosperous and successful member of the community of nations.  Indeed, China’s success has brought with it economic benefits for our people as well as yours, and our cooperation on a range of issues has helped advance stability in the Asia Pacific and in the world. 
 
We also know this:  History shows that societies are more harmonious, nations are more successful, and the world is more just, when the rights and responsibilities of all nations and all people are upheld, including the universal rights of every human being.
 
Mr. President, we can learn from our people.  Chinese and American students and educators, business people, tourists, researchers and scientists, including Chinese Americans who are here today —- they work together and make progress together every single day.  They know that even as our nations compete in some areas, we can cooperate in so many others, in a spirit of mutual respect, for our mutual benefit.    

What Deng Xiaoping said long ago remains true today.  There are still great possibilities for cooperation between our countries.  President Hu, members of the Chinese delegation, let us seize these possibilities together.  Welcome to the United States of America.  Hwan-ying.  (Applause.)