Obama welcomes Xi to US

Associated Press

WASHINGTON

The man destined to be China’s next leader won an extraordinary welcome across Washington on Tuesday, a finely scripted opening to one of the world’s most important relationships. Trading kind words of cooperation, President Barack Obama and Xi Jinping also spoke directly about human rights and worsening foreign crises.

Everything about the day reflected just how much China and the United States need each other, no matter what their differences, given their economic and military might and global influence. Xi got a lengthy Oval Office audience with Obama, an elaborate reception at the State Department, full military honors at the Pentagon, a gathering with chief business executives and an invitation for dinner at Vice President Joe Biden’s house.

At the center of it was a president seeking four more years and the man expected to lead China for the next decade. Xi is vice president and is expected to succeed Hu Jintao as head of China’s Communist Party late this year and become president in 2013.