China asks US to honour its commitment on Tibet and Taiwan

 Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping has asked the US to honour its commitment of 'One- China' policy on Taiwan and oppose the Tibetan independence.

"We hope that the US will truly honour its commitment on recognising Tibet as part of China and opposing Tibet independence and will handle Tibet-related issues in a prudent and proper manner," Xi said in a luncheon co-hosted by the US- China Business Council and the National Committee on US-China Relations.

Xi's remarks came as a large number of Tibetan Americans have been protesting outside the White House and other parts of the city against his visit, demanding freedom from China.

The peaceful demonstration organized by Tibetan youths is in contrast to the view point of the Dalai Lama, who seeks autonomy for Tibet and considers Tibet as part of China. Whereas these youths argue that they want freedom from China.

The White House yesterday confirmed that the issue of Tibet was raised by it when Xi met President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday.

In his remarks, Xi hoped that the US will honour its commitment on Taiwan too.

"We hope that the US will adhere to the three Sino-US joint communiques and the One-China Policy, oppose Taiwan independence and support the peaceful development of relations across the Taiwan Straits with concrete actions," he said.

"Given the differences in current national conditions and in historical and cultural backgrounds between China and the United States, it is only natural that we have some differences on the issue of human rights," Xi said.

"The history of mankind shows that the cause of human rights has been a process of continuous improvement. China and the United States should continue dialogue and exchanges to implement the consensus reached between our two presidents on respecting each other's development paths chosen in light of their national conditions and improve the cause of human rights in both countries," said Xi, who soon is expected to be the Chinese Vice President.

Xi said as the interests of China and the United States converge more closely in the Asia-Pacific than in anywhere else, this region should naturally become an important area where China and the United States engage in positive interactions and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation.

"China welcomes a constructive role by the United States in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific. At the same time, we hope the United States will respect the interests and concerns of China and other countries in this region," he said.

Meanwhile, White House Press Secretary Jay Carney said that the United States had candid and direct discussion with Chinese Vice President on human rights and Tibetan issues.

"The (US) President raised the importance of human rights and America's commitment to universal values directly to Vice President Xi during their meeting yesterday in the Oval Office. Specific human rights cases were raised in the course of the discussions at the White House, as was the situation in Tibet," he said.

At a luncheon on Tuesday, Vice President Joe Biden said the US see advocacy for human rights as a fundamental aspect of its foreign policy and it believes a key to the prosperity and stability of the societies.

"We have been clear about our concern over the areas in which, from our perspective, conditions in China have deteriorated, and about the plight of several very prominent individuals," Biden had said.

"Our commitment to being candid and direct with China about issues where we don't agree or issues where we have concerns is part of an overall constructive approach to the relationship, which has many aspects to it. We are not combative or disrespectful. We are frank and candid," Carney said.