China welcomes positive Obama comment

BEIJING, Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Beijing welcomed U.S. President Barack Obama's comment before arriving in China that a strong, prosperous China can be a source of strength to the world.

Obama, who arrived in Shanghai Sunday on a four-day China visit, had said in Japan he would welcome, not fear, a robust China as a powerful partner on urgent challenges, China Daily reported.

"The rise of a strong, prosperous China can be a source of strength for the community of nations," Obama was quoted as saying. "We welcome China's efforts to play a greater role on the world stage, a role in which their growing economy is joined by growing responsibility."

The newspaper noted prior to Obama's presidency, the United States had "uttered harsher words about China" with former President George W. Bush pressuring China about its currency rate and former President Bill Clinton prodding on human rights.

"More importantly, he (Obama) will begin negotiations with China that will likely take a more cooperative tone than that of his predecessors," the report said.

The report said the Obama craze has caught on with many in China and youngsters make up a large contingency of his fans. It said the Chinese edition of Obama's book, "The Audacity of Hope," had sold more than 130,000 copies and was a favorite of street vendors of pirated bestsellers.

International relations expert Shi Yinhong at Beijing's Renmin University of China told China Daily Obama was likely to redefine China-U.S. relations.

"He will readjust the 'responsible stakeholder and constructive partner' label of his predecessor George W. Bush, and add new meaning to relations," Shi said.