Hu: 'A Lot Still Needs to Be Done' on Human Rights

China and the US agreed to open a formal dialogue on human rights, reports the Washington Post. But it should be based on "mutual respect and the principle of noninterference in each other's internal affairs," said President Hu Jintao. He did acknowledge, however, that "a lot still needs to be done in China" on the subject. Obama said he had a "very candid" talk with Hu on the topic, but that it shouldn't "prevent us from cooperating" on other matters.

"We welcome China's rise," Obama said. "We just want to make sure that that rise occurs in a way that reinforces international norms, international rules, and enhances security and peace, as opposed to it being a source of conflict in the region or around the world." He said China would ramp up investments in the US by several billion dollars and that newly announced business deals worth $45 billion—which include a highly sought-after $19 billion deal for 200 Boeing airplanes—would shore up 235,000 American jobs, many in manufacturing. "We want to sell you all kinds of stuff," he said to Hu. Click for a roundup of developments.
(More Hu Jintao stories.)