“President Xi, during these discussions, indicated to me that, with 1.3 billion people, he can’t guarantee the behavior of every single person on Chinese soil, which I completely understand”, Obama said.
“We have, I think, made significant progress in agreeing to how our law enforcement and investigators are going to work together”, Obama said during a question-and-answer session after the address.
Both the governments would not engage in, or knowingly support online theft of intellectual property and explore the formulation of appropriate norms of behaviour in cyber-space, the Chinese president said.
US President Barack Obama said during a press conference Friday with visiting Chinese President Xi Jinping that the two countries have reached a “common understanding” not to conduct theft of trade secrets and intellectual property in cyberspace. It is an effort to build momentum toward a global climate change pact in Paris later this year, something Obama sees as part of his legacy. “I believe we can expand our cooperation in this area, even as the United States will continue to use all of the tools at our disposal to protect American companies, citizens and interests”. At the same time, both the USA and China will respond to requests for information in a timely manner, as well as offer assistance when necessary regarding such cyber activities.
Both China and the United States support the maintenance of peace and stability in the South China Sea, as well as a peaceful solution to disputes among directly concerned parties through negotiations and consultations, he said.
Xi then spoke of a need to be “broad-minded” about the two countries’ differences, to have “mutual respect” and to “meet each other half-way” in order to improve relations.
House Intelligence Committee Chairman Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) said that agreement “would be a big step forward if China abides by it”. The United States has accused China of stealing millions in personnel records from federal computer systems.
USA and Chinese officials sought to cast the talks in a favorable light by showcasing at least one area of cooperation – the global fight against climate change.
Addressing the press side by side in the White House’s Rose Garden on an overcast afternoon on Friday, both leaders pledged to cooperate but also pulled few punches when it came to points of contention. Also, the rising tension between Asian nations because of Beijing’s construction of military installations on man-made islands as well as disputed reefs in the South China Sea was discussed to find a resolution.
Admiral Harry Harris, commander of USA forces in the Pacific, told the Aspen Security Forum in July that China was building hangers on one of the reefs – Fiery Cross – that appeared to be for tactical fighter aircraft.
Obama said the US will be “watching carefully” if words are followed by action and didnt rule out the possibility of leveling sanctions against Chinese officials and companies in retaliation for hacking.