By DPA,
Beijing : US President Barack Obama will visit China in mid-November, the US ambassador here announced Saturday.
“Much is happening in US-China relations this year. President Obama is going to be visiting in the middle of November,” Ambassador Jon Huntsman said.
While Huntsman provided no further details about dates, Obama is scheduled to attend the 17th Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation leaders’ meeting in Singapore Nov 14-15.
Huntsman, who is fluent in Mandarin after spending time in Taiwan as a Mormon missionary, was sworn in earlier this month.
Obama has said that he hoped Huntsman’s appointment would launch a new era of partnership between the two nations.
However, the President’s visit is also likely to highlight concerns on both sides.
China has repeatedly urged the US to control its skyrocketing budget deficits, driven in part by Obama’s massive spending to jump-start the economy. Washington’s deficit is expected to reach $1.8 trillion this year.
US sales of arms to Taiwan have also drawn criticism from China, which claims the island as a part of its territory.
The US has asked China to take a tougher approach in its handling of North Korea’s nuclear development, and Obama has indicated that the issue of human rights will not be ignored in any dialogue between the two countries.