Accessibility links

Breaking News
News

Clinton Urges China to Keep Buying US Debt


U.S. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton is back in Washington from her first official overseas trip - a four nation tour of Asia.

Before leaving Beijing, her final stop, Clinton urged China Sunday to keep buying U.S. debt and work with Washington to fix the global economic crisis.

She said Washington must incur more debt to China to boost the ailing U.S. economy and stimulate demand for Chinese products. She says it would not be in China's interest if the U.S. is unable to get its economy out of a recession.

China is the largest holder of U.S. Treasury bonds. Clinton says China's continued investment in U.S. Treasuries is a recognition that the two economies are tied together.

Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi told Clinton that both countries should boost economic policy coordination and reject protectionism in trade.

Yang says he and Clinton also discussed their differing views about human rights in China. He says China will continue to discuss the issue with Washington on the basis of equality and non-interference in each other's internal affairs.

Before her talks, Clinton said the human rights debate should not get in the way of progress in other areas, such as tackling climate change. But rights groups say Washington should make human rights a priority.

Chinese rights activists complained that police prevented them from leaving their homes to stop them from speaking out or meeting with Clinton.

Clinton met with Chinese women's rights advocates at the U.S. Embassy and attended a service at a state-sanctioned Beijing church.

Clinton says she will host Foreign Minister Yang in Washington next month to prepare for a first meeting between U.S. President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Clinton's trip to Asia also took her to Japan, Indonesia and South Korea.

Some information for this report was provided by AP.

XS
SM
MD
LG