Obama warns China to 'live up to its international responsibilities'

Washington, Feb 15 (ANI): US President Barack Obama has warned China that it must live up to its international responsibilities, and help in bringing 'stability, order and security' to what has been dubbed the 'Asian century'.

Obama used some forthright diplomatic language to allude to the 'areas of tension' in Washington-Beijing relations, as China's leader-in-waiting, Xi Jinping made a crucial visit to the US.

"We have tried to emphasise that because of China's extraordinary development over the last two decades that with expanding power and prosperity also comes increased responsibilities," Obama said as he urged China to take a growing role in world affairs.

In return, Jinping called for "greater balance" in trade and investment between the United States and China, The Telegraph reports.

"We should tap our cooperation potential, create more bright spots in our cooperation and strive for greater balance in trade and investment between the two countries," the paper quoted him, as saying.

"We should address each other's economic and trade concerns through dialogue and consultation, not protectionism, and uphold the mutually beneficial pattern of China-US economic relations and trade," he added.

Jinping, the 58-year-old chemical engineer is expected to become China's Communist Party leader this autumn and then president soon after.

According to the paper, Jinping's visit to Washington is intended as an exercise in 'relationship-building', introducing the future Chinese leader to the American people, and follows in the footsteps of similar visits to the US made by other upcoming Chinese leaders prior to their taking power. (ANI)