Obama presses Beijing on human rights, currency

Taking a tougher stance on Beijing, US President Barack Obama said at a press conference with Chinese President Hu Jintao that China’s prosperity was driven by free trade and the stability provided by US military presence in Asia, the Financial Times reported. Hu’s visit to Washington comes at a low time in US-China relations, with the two sides squaring off over diplomatic, economic and business issues. Obama also urged Beijing to end discrimination against US companies, allow the renminbi to appreciate and respect human rights – including in Tibet. Hu, appearing at his first extended press conference in the West, said Beijing wanted to work closely with the US on global issues, but that ties should be based on "mutual respect."