China

Press Briefing By White House Press Secretary Robert Gibbs; And Ambassador To China Jon Huntsman; Senior Director For The National Security Council For Asian Affairs Jeff Bader; Deputy National Security Advisor Mike Froman; And Deputy National Security Advisor Ben Rhodes

November 17, 2009 -- MR. GIBBS: Good afternoon, guys. I am going to very brief, so brief that all I'm going to do is turn this over to -- first to Ambassador Huntsman, to give us a few minutes on the trip; Jeff Bader, who will talk a little bit more about -- in addition to what the Ambassador talks about -- what happened at some of the meetings today; as well as Mike Froman, who you've heard from during the trip.    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- Beijing, China -- At the invitation of President Hu Jintao of the People’s Republic of China, President Barack Obama of the United States of America is paying a state visit to China from November 15–18, 2009. The Presidents held in-depth, productive and candid discussions on U.S.-China relations and other issues of mutual interest.    » read more »

Countries Discuss Outer Space Cooperation

BEIJING -- November 17, 2009 -- China and the United States today released a joint statement at the conclusion of formal talks between President Obama and President Hu Jintao that included agreements on nuclear weapons issues and cooperation in space.

In the statement, the United States and China "reaffirmed their commitment made on 27 June 1998 not to target at each other the strategic nuclear weapons under their respective control." This reverses a decision by the Bush administration, which was first announced in the 2002 Nuclear Posture Review, to target China with U.S. nuclear weapons.    » read more »

BEIJING, Nov. 17 -- China's GreenGen clean coal project achieved another important milestone today as the partners executed their joint venture agreement, recognizing Peabody Energy's participation as a full equity partner.

The agreement was commemorated at a signing ceremony at the historic Great Hall of the People in Beijing and included Peabody Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Gregory H. Boyce; Huaneng Group President Cao Peixi; U.S. Secretary of Energy Steven Chu; and Chinese Vice Premier Li Keqiang.    » read more »

Company Enters Module Manufacturing to Meet Fastest Growing Segment of Solar Market

SHENZHEN, China, Nov. 17, 2009 — DuPont Apollo Ltd., a wholly-owned subsidiary of DuPont, announced the opening of its silicon based thin-film photovoltaic module manufacturing facility. The facility demonstrates the company’s commitment to reduce dependence on fossil fuels by supporting renewable energy technologies such as solar energy.    » read more »

Drywall Victims Insurance Protection Act will Prevent Cancellation of Homeowners Insurance

November 17, 2009 -- WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Congressman Charlie Melancon (LA-03) introduced legislation today to aid Louisiana homeowners with defective Chinese drywall in their homes. The Drywall Victims Insurance Protection Act would prevent insurance companies from cancelling or failing to renew homeowners’ policies as the result of Chinese drywall in the home. The bill would also prevent insurers from changing rates or altering the type or amount of coverage based on problems stemming from Chinese drywall.    » read more »

Partnership Positions GE as first U.S. High-Speed Rail Locomotive Manufacturer

Erie, Pa., USA and Beijing, China (Nov. 17, 2009) - GE and China’s Ministry of Railways today announced that they signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) to jointly advance high-speed rail (HSR) opportunities in the United States. This collaboration will allow GE Transportation to be the first U.S. locomotive manufacturer to more effectively compete for high-speed rail projects against global competitors.

In addition, the partnership would accelerate GE’s passenger rail technologies and create in the near future up to 150 high technology jobs in the U.S. The announcement was made as part of "GE's Clean Technology Week in China" activities.    » read more »

11/16/2009 -- WASHINGTON -- United States Senator Mary L. Landrieu, D-La., today urged the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) to help protect homeowners from scams by companies and individuals claiming to have solutions for tainted Chinese drywall. In a letter to FTC Chairman Jon Leibowitz, Sen. Landrieu and five other Senators raised concerns about deceptive practices that prey on consumers with defective drywall and asked the Commission to fully investigate and prosecute companies engaging in these activities.

The letter was signed by Senators Bill Nelson (D-Fla.), David Vitter (R-La.), Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) and Jim Webb (D-Va.).    » read more »

November 17, 2009 -- Beijing, China - Today, President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao announced a far-reaching package of measures to strengthen cooperation between the United States and China on clean energy. Please see the attached fact sheets for additional details on each of the U.S-China clean energy announcements.    » read more »

November 16, 2009 -- Museum of Science and Technology, Shanghai, China -- PRESIDENT OBAMA: Good afternoon. It is a great honor for me to be here in Shanghai, and to have this opportunity to speak with all of you. I'd like to thank Fudan University's President Yang for his hospitality and his gracious welcome. I'd also like to thank our outstanding Ambassador, Jon Huntsman, who exemplifies the deep ties and respect between our nations. I don't know what he said, but I hope it was good. (Laughter.)    » read more »

ExxonMobil CEO Addresses APEC CEO Summit in Singapore

November 13, 2009 -- SINGAPORE -- Affordable and reliable energy supplies necessary to rebuild the global economy require polices that encourage investment, expand international trade and promote technological innovation, Rex W. Tillerson, chairman and chief executive officer of Exxon Mobil Corporation2 (NYSE:XOM), said today.

Speaking at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) CEO’s Summit3, Tillerson said energy is critical to economic development, and despite the current downturn, demand is expected to grow4 in the years ahead, especially in the Asia-Pacific region.    » read more »

Unlawful Detention Facilities Breed Violence, Threats, Extortion

November 11, 2009 -- (New York) - Since 2003, large numbers of Chinese citizens have been held incommunicado for days or months in secret, unlawful detention facilities known as "black jails" by state agents who violate detainees' rights with impunity, Human Rights Watch said in a new report released today.

The 53-page report, "An Alleyway in Hell," documents how government officials, security forces, and their agents routinely abduct people off the streets of Beijing and other Chinese cities, strip them of their possessions, and imprison them. These black jails are often located in state-owned hotels, nursing homes, and psychiatric hospitals.    » read more »

Ceremony Marks the Full Operation of China’s First Integrated Refining and Petrochemical Complex with Foreign Participation

QUANZHOU, FUJIAN PROVINCE, China--(BUSINESS WIRE1)--ExxonMobil2 and its partners, Sinopec, Fujian Province and Saudi Aramco, today celebrated the full operation of China’s first integrated refining and petrochemical facility with foreign participation. This facility, the Fujian Integrated Refining and Ethylene Joint Venture Project, will help meet the region’s growing need for fuels and chemical products.    » read more »

November 10, 2009 -- Washington, DC – The Department of Energy announced today that Energy Secretary Steven Chu will travel to India and China from Thursday, November 12 to Wednesday, November 18 as part of the Department’s efforts to advance opportunities for international clean energy cooperation. During the China portion of the visit, Secretary Chu will join with President Barack Obama as part of the official White House delegation.

"China and India will play central roles in the world's energy future." Secretary Chu said. "By working together we can promote clean energy technologies, helping meet our energy and climate challenges while creating jobs here at home."    » read more »

November 9, 2009 -- (New York) - United States President Barack Obama should raise key human rights concerns publicly on his first official visit to China, Human Rights Watch said in a letter released today.

"President Obama has spoken forcefully about the importance of defending human rights globally in speeches in Egypt, Ghana, Turkey, and at the United Nations," said Kenneth Roth, executive director of Human Rights Watch. "The test now is whether he will do so in a country where the government remains profoundly hostile to these concepts."

The letter urges Obama to raise three key issues, including:

* Freedom of expression, including internet censorship and the imprisonment of peaceful government critics;    » read more »