No way Obama would diss his ChiCom overlords.
BEIJING — President Barack Obama vowed Monday to stand up for American values in exchanges with China about the ongoing democracy-related protests in Hong Kong, but the president was careful to couch his remarks in terms less likely to offend his Chinese hosts.
“Our primary message has been to make sure that violence is avoided as the people of Hong Kong try to sort through what the next phase is of their relationship to the mainland,” Obama said in response to a question during a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott at the U.S. Embassy here. It was the first time he’s publicly spoken on the issue.
“There are certain things that the United States believes. We believe in freedom of speech. We believe in freedom of association. We believe in openness in government as befitting our traditions and our way of life,” Obama declared.
“I think it would be unrealistic to expect that we set those concerns aside,” he continued. “People have aspirations for freedom and dignity in countries all around the globe.”