Tokyo: On the eve of his maiden trip to Beijing as the US President, Barack Obama on Saturday sought to deepen America's strategic and economic dialogue with China and improve military communications between the two countries, but refrained from making any reference to Tibet.
"The United States does not seek to contain China, nor does a deeper relationship with China mean a weakening of our bilateral alliances," Obama said in a major policy speech on Asia at the Suntory Hall on Saturday.
On the contrary, the rise of a strong, prosperous China can be a source of strength for the community of nations, he said a day ahead of his China visit as part of the four-nation Asia tour.
However, the US President skipped making any reference to Tibet.
A close aide of Obama had recently said the President would be ready to meet the Dalai Lama "at an appropriate time," drawing a strong reaction from China which expressed its firm opposition to foreign leaders' any contact with the Tibetan spiritual leader.
About his visit to China, Obama said that "in Beijing and beyond, we will work to deepen our Strategic and Economic Dialogue, and improve communication between our militaries".
However, he warned that "we will not agree on every issue, and the United States will never waver in speaking up for the fundamental values that we hold dear and that includes respect for the religion and cultures of all people".
Obama said that support for human rights and human dignity is ingrained in America, but these discussions can be moved forward in "a spirit of partnership rather than rancour".
He said the US looks to rising powers with the view that in the 21st century, the national security and economic growth of one country need not come at the expense of another.
"I know there are many who question how the United States perceives China's emergence. But as I have said in an inter-connected world, power does not need to be a zero-sum game, and nations need not fear the success of another."
"Cultivating spheres of cooperation not competing spheres of influence will lead to progress in the Asia Pacific," Obama said.
As with any nation, Obama said, America will approach China with a focus on its interests.
It is precisely for this reason that it is important to pursue pragmatic cooperation with China on issues of mutual concern because no one nation can meet the challenges of the 21st century alone, and the US and China will both be better off when they are able to meet them together, Obama said.
"That is why 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. China's partnership has proved critical in our effort to jumpstart economic recovery," he said.
Obama also said China has promoted security and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan. "And it is now committed to the global nonproliferation regime, and supporting the pursuit of the denuclearisation of the Korean Peninsula."
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