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Obama Holds Town Hall in China { Dems hold Town Hall Meetings again! ]
Voice Of America ^ | Nov 15,2009 | VOA

Posted on 11/16/2009 1:22:24 AM PST by NoLibZone

U.S. President Barack Obama has held an unprecedented question and answer session with Chinese students in Shanghai - China's commercial capital.

Mr. Obama pushed the importance of freedom of information, while at the same time calling for greater cooperation between Washington and Beijing.

This was the first town hall meeting by a U.S. President in China. And it amounted to a delicate balancing act for Mr. Obama.

He opened the session with university students by striking a professorial tone, talking about the history of relations between Washington and Beijing, and the importance of working together to tackle global challenges. Mr. Obama said, "We know that more is to be gained when great powers cooperate than when they collide."

Obama Underscores Freedom

The president talked about respect for cultures and traditions, saying one country should not impose its system of government on another. But at the same time, he made clear he will stand up for the basic freedoms Americans hold dear, saying, "These freedoms of expression and worship, of access to information and political participation, we believe are universal rights. They should be available to all people."

china flagMr. Obama was speaking in a country with the largest number of internet and cell phone users in the world. But the Chinese government has restricted access to certain social networking and news Web sites. When a student asked about the so-called "firewall," the president spoke out, saying, "I am a big believer in technology and I am a big believer in openness when it comes to the free flow of information."

Google ChinaThe U.S. president said he is a strong supporter of unfettered Internet access, adding, "I think the more freely information flows, the stronger the society becomes because then citizens of countries around the world can hold their own governments accountable, they can begin to think for themselves."

During the session with students, the president took several questions submitted on the Internet, and the entire program was carried live on the White House Web site. It was also broadcast locally in Shanghai, but not on Chinese national television.

While the president stressed the benefits of new media, he acknowledged there is a downside. Mr. Obama said, "It also means that terrorists are able to organize on the Internet in ways that they might not have been able to do before."

Obama Discusses Terrorism

Mr. Obama returned to the topic of terrorism when the final questioner asked about his pending decision on a revised strategy for the war in Afghanistan.

The president did not go into specific options under consideration, except to indicate that training Afghans to provide their own security is a priority. Instead, he talked about the greater threat facing the United States and the world.

The president said, "I do continue to believe that the greatest threat to United States security are the terrorist networks like al-Qaida. And the reason is because even though they are Hu Jianto

small in number what they have showed is that they have no conscience when it comes to the destruction of innocent civilians."

Mr. Obama remained for a few minutes at the end of the event, shaking hands and chatting with some of the students in the audience. After his opportunity to interact with the Chinese people - in person and on the internet - he headed to Beijing for talks with the nation's leaders.


TOPICS: Extended News; News/Current Events
KEYWORDS: bhoasia; bhochina; bhotownhalls; bhovisit; china; huessein; townhall

1 posted on 11/16/2009 1:22:26 AM PST by NoLibZone
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To: NoLibZone

Does the DNC ask for IDs when they hold their town halls in China?


2 posted on 11/16/2009 1:23:50 AM PST by NoLibZone (North Korea? The only buildings in Hawaii at risk of destruction are those housing Obama's records!)
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To: NoLibZone

No need...every person there was a party member!

*bows*


3 posted on 11/16/2009 1:25:19 AM PST by Crim
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To: NoLibZone

OBAMAO received a thunder of applause when he told that USA ,with him of course,don’t want to spread its vision of democratic FREE society...

ANOTHER USELESS SPEECH


4 posted on 11/16/2009 1:35:58 AM PST by Ulysse (a)
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To: NoLibZone

“But at the same time, he made clear he will stand up for the basic freedoms Americans hold dear, saying, “These freedoms of expression and worship, of access to information and political participation, we believe are universal rights. They should be available to all people.” “


But nobody should have the basic freedom not to buy a government insurance “product” without paying fines and penalties.


5 posted on 11/16/2009 1:37:34 AM PST by John Leland 1789
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To: NoLibZone; Crim; Ulysse; John Leland 1789

Oh the deja vu.

Ronaldus Magnus did something vaguely similar when he visited Moscow in ‘87. He also addressed a college audience but he insisted it be carried live nationwide. He also gave it to them straight as I recall.


6 posted on 11/16/2009 1:42:50 AM PST by sinanju
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To: NoLibZone

“I...I...I....I....”


7 posted on 11/16/2009 1:44:27 AM PST by Brugmansian
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To: NoLibZone
"I think the more freely information flows, the stronger the society becomes because then citizens of countries around the world can hold their own governments accountable, they can begin to think for themselves."

Except, of course, if that information is flowing freely from Fox News or Rush Limbaugh with the intent of holding the US government accountable, in which case they must be suppressed in order to make the society stronger...

8 posted on 11/16/2009 1:58:27 AM PST by Zeppo (Save the cheerleader, save the world...)
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To: NoLibZone

Watch what he says, it is usually a cover for what he does.


9 posted on 11/16/2009 2:10:23 AM PST by Bellflower (If you are left DO NOT take the mark of the beast and be damned forever.)
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To: NoLibZone
I am a big believer in openness when it comes to the free flow of information

Except where his personal past or qualifications for office are concerned.

10 posted on 11/16/2009 4:10:38 AM PST by doodad
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To: NoLibZone

Definitely a crowd the ‘bama can feel at home with. ‘Bama must’ve been thinking, “You protest here, you get shot. Man, I LOVE this country”.


11 posted on 11/16/2009 4:22:51 AM PST by Spok (Liberals are living proof that terrorism works.)
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To: doodad

I am a big believer in openness when it comes to the free flow of information
Like Bill Clinton right?
Everyone will clap or you will lose your hands, smile... good
If you think for one minute zero was going to press for human rights... he wants to model America in China’s image, just ask Anita.


12 posted on 11/16/2009 4:23:00 AM PST by ronnie raygun (Leaders who refuse to lead will be lead by the people)
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To: NoLibZone

this is all he knows how to do. Make campaign speeches. I have never seen such a vacuous, empty personality in my life. I hope the Chinese audience laughted at him..


13 posted on 11/16/2009 4:38:14 AM PST by SueRae
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To: NoLibZone

Obama addresses his “board of directors” over his blunders with their investement.


14 posted on 11/16/2009 4:45:20 AM PST by Caipirabob (Communists... Socialists... Democrats...Traitors... Who can tell the difference?)
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To: NoLibZone

The president did not go into specific options = Clueless


15 posted on 11/16/2009 5:33:53 AM PST by Vaduz
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