Tag Archives: China

Locke Named U.S. Ambassador to China / Biden on Russia WTO Bid / Women of Courage

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Commerce Secretary Gary Locke is tapped to be the next U.S. ambassador to the People’s Republic of China. The United States supports Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton discusses the common interests of APEC nations. A top U.S. national security advisor offers praise for American muslims. The United States honors 10 women of courage.

Locke Named Ambassador to China
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President Obama announces the appointment of Commerce Secretary Gary Locke to become the next U.S. ambassador to the People’s Republic of China and, if approved by the Senate, he would become the first Chinese-American to hold the post in U.S. history. Locke would succeed Ambassador Jon Huntsman, the former Republican governor of Utah who recently asked to step down.

U.S. Supports Russia’s WTO Bid
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Vice President Biden says the United States is a strong supporter of Russia’s bid to join the World Trade Organization (WTO) and the Obama administration also wants to end Soviet-era restrictions on bilateral trade. “The primary purpose of my visit is to explore how we can resolve the remaining challenges in our economic relationship,” Biden says.

APEC Economies’ Common Interests
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the 21 economies in the Asia Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) share a common interest in increasing business opportunities across the region, and urged members to embrace long-term strategies that will benefit everyone. Speaking in Washington March 9, Clinton says the United States and its partners in APEC are all looking for more opportunities to do business with each other. “We are well positioned to rise together, to achieve greater prosperity in partnership, to offer all of our people a chance at a better future,” she says.

Praise for American Muslims
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Denis McDonough, the president’s deputy national security advisor, travels to one of the country’s largest mosques to talk about President Obama’s approach to combating terrorism and to praise American Muslims for their contributions to strengthening America. “The bottom line is this — when it comes to preventing violent extremism and terrorism in the United States, Muslim Americans are not part of the problem; you’re part of the solution,” he says.

Women of Courage
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Ten women have been honored by first lady Michelle Obama and Secretary Clinton for their exceptional courage in advocating for women’s rights and empowerment, often at great personal risk. At left, First lady Michelle Obama, Women of Courage winner Eva Abu Halaweh of Jordan and Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton.

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Clinton on Bahrain / Hip-Hop in Tajikistan / Civil Society and Democracy

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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton urges restraint in Bahrain. Egyptian Americans are hopeful about the future of their homeland. This March, the Kennedy Center will host Maximum India. The United States and China are growing relations through a new garden. American hip-hop dancers bring the beat to Tajikistan. And finally, what is civil society? This photo gallery has some answers.

U.S. Urges Restraint in Bahrain
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton telephoned Bahrain’s Foreign Minister Sheikh Khaled bin Ahmad al-Khalifa to express U.S. concerns over violence by Bahraini security forces against anti-government protesters. Clinton says she had telephoned the foreign minister earlier in the day and “emphasized how important it was” that the Friday prayers and the funerals of the victims that will be held February 18 “not be marred by violence.”

Egyptians Americans are Hopeful
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Egyptian Americans, proud of the victory of pro-democracy protesters in Egypt, are looking to the future of their homeland with a mix of optimism, hope and a dash of realism.

Maximum India
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This March, the Kennedy Center in Washington will host the Maximum India festival, which will include performances, events and exhibitions by 500 artists in cooperation with the Indian Council for Cultural Resources. Maximum India marks the culmination of the Kennedy Center’s five-year exploration of the arts and cultures of the peoples along the legendary Silk Road, including Japan, China and the Middle East.

U.S., China Grow as Partners
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The United States and China have committed to construction of a classical Chinese garden at the U.S. National Arboretum in Washington. “Today’s signing ceremony illustrates the commitment our two countries have to horticulture, science and the arts,” says Department of Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack during a ceremony with China’s ambassador to the United States, Zhang Yesui.

Hip-Hop in Tajikistan 
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In 2010, the U.S. Embassy in Dushanbe and the private cultural-exchange group American Voices arranged a series of dance workshops in Tajikistan led by two U.S. hip-hop dancers. The workshops highlighted the upbeat hip-hop sound that has had unexpectedly universal appeal worldwide, with a fast-growing fan base in Tajikistan.

Lech WalesaPhoto Gallery: Civil Society
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Civil society “is the conscience of our communities,” President Obama has said. Human progress, he said, has been shaped by individuals who can freely join forces and by nongovernmental organizations. But what is civil society, exactly? Why is it important? And what does it need to flourish? Explore this photo gallery about civil society around the world. In Poland, Lech Walesa, right, a shipyard electrician, was able to establish Solidarity, the Soviet bloc’s first independent trade union. At its height, the union had some 10 million members and was instrumental in the downfall of communism in the country.

Counterterrorism Techniques / The U.S. Economy / Chinese-American Mayors

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The United States is continually adapting its counterterrorism techniques to respond to evolving terrorist threats, says Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke says the U.S. economy continues to strengthen but that unemployment remains stubbornly high. What is more important for the environment and for humans in the long run: clean energy or trees? And there are approximately 40 Asian-Americans currently serving as mayors of U.S. cities.

Janet Napolitano speakingPreventing Terror Threats
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The United States is continually adapting its “counterterrorism techniques to effectively detect, deter and prevent terrorist acts,” says Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. “Working with our federal partners, law enforcement across the country, the private sector, and the American public, we are making great progress in addressing today’s evolving terrorist threats,” Napolitano, right, says.

Bernanke on Economic Recovery
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The U.S. economy continues to strengthen as greater consumer and business spending take hold, but unemployment remains stubbornly high, says Federal Reserve Chairman Ben Bernanke. “Until we see a sustained period of stronger job creation, we cannot consider the recovery to be truly established,” Bernanke said during a February 9 House Budget Committee hearing.

Solar Panels Versus Trees
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What is more important for the environment and for humans in the long run: clean energy or trees? As the United States continues to develop renewable power sources and encourage homeowners to take advantage of solar and wind power tax credits, clean energy advocates increasingly run into opposition from environmentalists who fear for the trees that are often lost to allow better access to sun and wind.

Chinese-American Mayors
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The Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies says approximately 40 Asian-Americans currently serve as mayors of U.S. cities, with San Francisco and Oakland the two largest. At right, San Francisco Mayor Edwin Lee (left) and Oakland Mayor Jean Quan (right) join other prominent Chinese-American guests at a White House state dinner for Chinese President Hu Jintao.

The Future of Egypt / U.S., China Work Toward Nuclear Security / Black History Month

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The White House says only Egyptians can shape their country’s future. An arms control scholar discusses the newly enacted START treaty. The U.S. and China are working together on nuclear security. President Obama congratulates the people of South Sudan. February is black history month in the United States.


Egypt Must Shape its Own Future
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The White House continues to champion self-determination for the Egyptian people and to condemn the use of violence to achieve political ends. “Who leads Egypt…is a determination that can only be made by the Egyptians,” says White House press secretary Robert Gibbs.

START: A Treaty that “Makes Sense”
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The START nuclear arms reduction treaty signed recently by Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton and Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov is a win for both countries, a Washington arms control scholar says. Tom Collina, research director of the Washington-based Arms Control Association, says the treaty “benefits both sides” and “makes sense from every perspective.”

A Pledge on Nuclear Security
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The United States and China pledge to cooperate on combating nuclear proliferation and to establish a Center of Excellence on Nuclear Security in China. The collaboration will facilitate exchange of information and best practices, creation of training courses and technical collaboration to improve nuclear security throughout Asia.

Recognizing South Sudan
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The Obama administration says it intends to recognize the new, independent south Sudanese state in July and it is beginning the process of withdrawing Sudan from its list of state sponsors of terrorism. “After decades of conflict, the images of millions of southern Sudanese voters deciding their own future was an inspiration to the world and another step forward in Africa’s long journey toward justice and democracy,” President Obama says.

Black History Month
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Each February, Black History Month honors the struggles and triumphs of millions of American citizens and their contributions to the nation’s cultural and political life. February was chosen because it includes the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln and the abolitionist Frederick Douglass. At right, Carter G. Woodson, founder of Black History Month.

The Latest on Egypt / Combating Human Trafficking / Panda Diplomacy

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The Obama administration renews its call for early political change in Egypt. Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton calls for continued efforts against human trafficking. The U.S. is in a race to get 1 million electric cars on the road. Peter John Brownlee of the Terra Foundation for American Art talks about race and art history. And finally, a pair of pandas are staying put in Washington.

Robert Gibbs at podiumU.S.: Violence in Egypt Must Stop
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The White House strongly condemns “outrageous and deplorable violence” that has broken out in Cairo and other Egyptian cities and has renewed its call for political change to begin in the country. “It is imperative that the violence that we’re seeing stop and that the transition that was spoken about last night begin immediately,” White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, right, says.

Combating Human Trafficking
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Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton says the United States must continue to work to address human trafficking. Calling it an issue of “grave importance,” Clinton tells the President’s Interagency Task Force to Monitor and Combat Trafficking in Persons that “anywhere from 12 to 27 million people are currently held in forced labor, bonded labor, or forced prostitution.”

An Electric Cars Race
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In his State of the Union address, President Obama challenged the United States to become the first nation with 1 million electric cars. Cleaner vehicles are part of the federal government’s plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and build “clean” industries that provide new jobs.

On Race and American Art
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Peter John Brownlee, associate curator at the Terra Foundation for American Art, fielded questions about depictions of African Americans in American art during a digital video conference with Palestinians in Jerusalem. “I took that as an opportunity to go through a few slides and talk about how issues of race have evolved,” Brownlee says.

The Panda Program
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The United States and China renewed their partnership to save the giant panda during Chinese President Hu Jintao’s January visit to Washington. Under an agreement signed January 20, the Smithsonian’s National Zoological Park will continue to host two pandas, Mei Xiang (meaning Beautiful Fragrance) and Tian Tian (More and More), first loaned by China to the United States in 2000.

Economic Strides at U.S.-China Summit / Iran Talks / A Drumbeat in Iraq

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Economic progress was all in a day’s work for President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao. The United States hopes upcoming international talks with Iran will be meaningful. The USAID is working toward transparency and efficiency. A new idea for African farmers is a winner for a Uganda man. Finally, meet Tom Teasley, a percussionist on a mission.

One-Day Summit Yields Economic Strides
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President Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao agreed to move toward liberalized global trade and investment and to oppose measures that could lead to protectionism. During a one-day summit in Washington, Obama, right, and Hu emphasized “their strong commitment” to engage in talks to conclude the World Trade Organization’s Doha Development Agenda, which would foster greater global trade liberalization.

The Upcoming Talks With Iran
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The United States is hoping for a “meaningful and practical negotiation process” when it joins five other nations in talks with Iran about its nuclear activities. The State Department also said the Obama administration is willing to discuss an updated deal to provide nuclear fuel for Iran’s Tehran Research Reactor.

USAID Announces Reforms
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The U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) announces new policies aimed at improving efficiency, increase transparency and setting a new standard for the field of development, says USAID Administrator Rajiv Shah.

A Winning Idea for Farmers
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Johnstone Baguma Kumaraki of Uganda won the 2010 Africa Rural Connect online contest for developing ways to increase the capacity of small-scale rural maize farms. Farmers across Africa will benefit from Kumaraki’s idea, which is aimed at providing them with better storage and marketing options.

In Iraq, a Different Drummer
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World-renowned percussionist Tom Teasley frequently tours the United States and other countries as a musician and cultural communicator, most recently visiting Iraq through a program of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs. At right, Teasley works on rhythms with young Iraqi percussionists.

White House Hosts State Dinner for President Hu

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President Obama and first lady Michelle Obama held a state dinner in honor of President Hu of China last night at the White House.  The gala event capped off a busy day for the visiting president, who spent Wednesday meeting with American business leaders, administration officials, diplomatic representatives, and President Obama. 

State dinners in the United States are formal events hosted by the president and held in honor of a visiting foreign head of state, such as a king, queen, president, or any head of government.  They are intended to celebrate the U.S.’s diplomatic relations with a foreign country. 

During toasts at last night’s state dinner, President Obama said:

“President Hu, we have met today in a spirit of mutual respect:  the United States — the oldest democracy in the world, and China — one of the oldest civilizations in the world.  And while it’s easy to focus on our differences of culture and perspective, let us never forget the values that our people share:  A reverence for family; the belief that, with education and hard work and with sacrifice, the future is what we make it; and most of all, the desire to give our children a better life.”

When it was his turn to toast, President Hu, speaking through a translator, hailed closer U.S. – China ties, saying, “In recent years, particularly over the past two years since President Obama took office, China-U.S. relations have made strong headway, thanks to the joint efforts of both sides.” 

This was the third state dinner the Obamas have hosted since Barack Obama became president in 2009.  The first was in honor of Prime Minister Singh of India and the second was in honor of President Calderón of Mexico.

Chinese President Hu’s State Visit / Remembering Sargent Shriver / New York Arabic Music

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Chinese President Hu Jintao meets with President Obama and other U.S. officials during a one day state visit. R. Sargent Shriver dies at 95. The vote in Southern Sudan represents an “historic milestone.” The U.S. brings street lights and new security to Kabul, Afghanistan. And finally, meet Arab-American Singer Gaida and her New York Arabic music.

President Hu’s State Visit
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President Obama welcomes China’s President Hu Jintao to the White House calling for greater cooperation in security and economic relations, and also calling for greater respect for universal human rights. “We have an enormous stake in each other’s success,” Obama says at the formal White House arrival ceremony on the south lawn. It is the eighth time the two world leaders have met face-to-face in two years.

Sudan’s “Historic Milestone”
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Southern Sudan’s referendum on self-determination marks “a historic milestone” for the Sudanese, says Ambassador Princeton Lyman, head of the U.S. State Department’s Sudan Negotiation Support Unit. Lyman testified before the U.S. House of Representatives’ Committee on Foreign Affairs January 18.

Sargent Shriver: 1915-2011
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R. Sargent Shriver, founder of the Peace Corps, the Special Olympics and programs to combat poverty in the United States, dies at age 95 after suffering from Alzheimer’s disease.

Lighting the way in Kabul
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The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers has spent $160,000 to install 28 streetlights along a busy commercial street in the Afghan capital of Kabul and another 170 or so will go up in coming months. The project is funded by the Army Corps’ Commander Emergency Response Program, which targets projects that directly benefit a local community.

Meet the Songstress Gaida
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Arab-American Singer Gaida was born in Germany, raised in Syria and is currently a New Yorker. Since her professional debut in 2006, Gaida has won rave reviews and her work has appeared in several movies. “I call my music New York Arabic music,” Gaida, above, says. “It is like me: I am an Arab New Yorker.”

Obama, Hu Hold Joint Press Conference While Michelle Obama Encourages U.S. – China Youth Exchanges

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After the official welcome ceremony at the White House this morning and a series of meetings, President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China held a joint press conference at the White House.

The pair discussed the economy, politics, national security, human rights, and building stronger U.S. – China ties.   Speaking about the U.S. – China relationship, President Obama said that in the 21st Century the two countries should engage in a “spirit of cooperation that is also friendly competition.”

For his part, President Hu acknowledged the U.S. and China share “expanding common interests,” and he echoed Obama’s high hopes that U.S. and Chinese youth will continue to connect through exchanges and will help to bring about deeper cross-cultural understanding between their countries. 

Michelle Obama also showed her support for U.S. – China youth exchanges at a separate event today in Washington, DC.  Speaking at Howard University the first lady announced the new “100,000 Strong Initiative, which aims to increase the number and the diversity of young people from the U.S. studying in China.  Praising the benefits of study abroad in general, the first lady told the crowd of students:

“And I can guarantee all of you that when you study abroad, you won’t just change your own life.  You’ll change the lives of every single person you come in contact with.”

Learn more about the 100,000 Strong Initiative – http://bit.ly/gcbyMq

Read the full transcript of this morning’s welcome ceremony with Presidents Obama and Hu – http://bit.ly/ifyEbT

Chinese President Visits U.S. / More Applause for Sudan / A U.S.-Pakistan Exchange

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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.

President Obama and Chinese President Hu JintaoHu 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.