President Barack Obama and President Hu Jintao of China begin their working dinner in the Old Family Dining Room of the White House, Jan. 18.
WASHINGTON — Eager to soothe(抚慰，使平静) tensions, President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao shared an unusual and intimate dinner Tuesday night to discuss the strains(绷紧的局势) and common goals that define the complicated relations between the two rival powers(强国).
The private dinner, in the Old Family Dining Room in the White House residence, came amid(处于……之中) disputes(争论) over China's currency(货币), trade and human rights policies and a search for cooperation on national security. It preceded(在……之前) a planned pomp-filled(壮丽的) gala(娱乐活动) for Hu on Wednesday night and illustrated(表明) Obama's careful mix of warmth and firmness for the leader of a nation that is at once the largest U.S. competitor and most important potential partner.
Also at the dinner were national security adviser Tom Donilon and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton. Hu brought along two top Chinese officials. Underscoring(强调) the desire for candor(坦率), the White House said there were no official note-takers(记录人员) at the dinner and offered no readout(读出) of the discussions.
For Hu, Wednesday's pageantry(盛况) would be an accomplishment in itself. The U.S. has stiffened(使变硬) its stance(立场) against China after initial entreaties(请求) from the Obama administration, and any images of a friendly welcome in the U.S. could serve to polish(润色) Hu's image at home and abroad and to soften the American public's suspicions about China.
Hu received red carpet treatment upon landing Tuesday afternoon at a wet Andrews Air Force Base, where he was greeted by Vice President Joe Biden and a military color guard(护旗队).