President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China are set to enter into wide-ranging talks this week. President Obama calls the peaceful voting in Sudan an “inspiration to the world.” The State Department has hopes for the new leadership in Tunisia. Applications are still being accepted for the TechWomen mentorship program. And learn about a U.S.-Pakistani cultural exchange.

Hu and Obama to Meet in State Visit
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President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China will discuss global and regional security concerns, economic and trade issues, human rights and related bilateral issues during a one-day state visit January 19 at the White House. This will be the eighth face-to-face meeting between Obama and Hu, a demonstration of the importance of the U.S.-China relationship, he added. At right, Obama, left, and Hu at a meeting in November. 

“Inspiring” Conduct in Sudan
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President Obama praises the peaceful and orderly conduct of southern Sudan’s referendum on self-determination and commends the voters. “The sight of so many Sudanese casting their votes in a peaceful and orderly fashion was an inspiration to the world and a tribute to the determination of the people and leaders of south Sudan to forge a better future,” says Obama.

Tunisia’s Interim Leadership
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The State Department says it hopes Tunisia’s interim leadership will chart a new, more democratic course in the wake of former President Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali’s departure after more than 20 years. “There is change under way” in Tunisia that needs to broaden and deepen, says State Department spokesman Philip J. Crowley.

TechWomen
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Bringing the power of global business, technology and education together, the TechWomen Program will pair women in Silicon Valley with 38 of their counterparts in the Middle East and North Africa for a five-week professional mentorship program at leading technology companies beginning in the summer of 2011. Online applications must be submitted by February 1st. For more information, visit the TechWomen Fact Sheet.

A U.S.-Pakistan Exchange
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As part of the State Department’s Global Undergraduate Exchange Program-Pakistan, college students from Pakistan spend a semester at college campuses throughout the United States. In addition to taking coursework, the Pakistani exchange students complete a course in U.S. studies and participate in community service and cultural activities. Afza Asif, right, visited a school to teach American children about Pakistan.