Press conference with Hu Jintao: Confusion about the human rights issue

At a press conference with U.S. President Chinese President Hu Obama did not answer the question of human rights in his country. Now puzzled reporters: Hu has ignored the question? Or did he simply not understand? Washington - long pauses, annoyed statesmen and translation problems: the press conference by China's President Hu Jintao and U.S.

President Barack Obama on Wednesday at the White House could have been better. It lasted one and a half hours - and was particularly unpleasant, as the Chinese leader was asked about human rights in his country. There was simultaneous translation at the press conference it is not - why, is not yet clear.


Obama himself said after his first response: "I'm sorry I thought there was simultaneous translation.." Interpreters had to translate so each question and answer. This led to long pauses. Obama, a journalist from a business magazine Forbes, has always smiled wide to bridge the delay. Reporters, both men have repeatedly shown themselves impatient.

First, the American journalist Ben Feller presented by the Associated Press his questions. "How can the U.S. be so closely allied with a country that treats its people so badly? Use the censorship and violence to suppress its citizens?" The question was directed at Obama. Hu then asked Feller: How can he justify his country's human rights record? Obama answered first and said a few minutes.

He said he had "very frank" talk with Hu on the issue of human rights. Then an interpreter translated the questions for Hu. But did not answer. A reporter of Bloomberg reminded the Chinese President later because this was never addressed the question of human rights. Hu spoke of "translation problems", so he did not hear the question.

Subsequently, Hu said: "China is committed to protecting and promoting human rights." However, it must still work to be done. White House officials insisted after the press conference, however, Hu was the question has been fully translated.

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Hu Jintao (wikipedia)