Singapore's leading newspaper, The Straits Times, is showing a slightly different version of this Reuters video of President Barack Obama's speech in Tokyo earlier today. The Reuters video shown by the Straits Times leaves out what Obama says about human rights.
Obama said "the United States does not seek to contain China" but added:
"We will not agree on every issue, and the United States will never waver in speaking up for the fundamental values that we hold dear – and that includes respect for the religion and cultures of all people. Because support for human rights and human dignity is ingrained in America."
The Straits Times/ Reuters video cuts that out and jumps forward to what he says about North Korea and its "pursuit of nuclear weapons".
Here's the Straits Times/ Reuters video video, now on YouTube.
Here's the relevant part of Obama's speech, with the portions left out by the Straits Times/ Reuters video in italics:
As with any nation, America will approach China with a focus on our interests. And it is precisely for this reason that it is important to pursue pragmatic cooperation with China on issues of mutual concern – because no one nation can meet the challenges of the 21st century alone, and the United States and China will both be better off when we are able to meet them together. That is why we welcome China’s efforts to play a greater role on the world stage – a role in which their growing economy is joined by growing responsibility. China’s partnership has proved critical in our effort to jumpstart economic recovery. China has promoted security and stability in Afghanistan and Pakistan. And it is now committed to the global nonproliferation regime, and supporting the pursuit of the denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula.
So the United States does not seek to contain China, nor does a deeper relationship with China mean a weakening of our bilateral alliances. On the contrary, the rise of a strong, prosperous China can be a source of strength for the community of nations. And so in Beijing and beyond, we will work to deepen our Strategic and Economic Dialogue, and improve communication between our militaries. We will not agree on every issue, and the United States will never waver in speaking up for the fundamental values that we hold dear – and that includes respect for the religion and cultures of all people. Because support for human rights and human dignity is ingrained in America. But we can move these discussions forward in a spirit of partnership rather than rancour.
Cutting out the part in italics, the Straits Times/Reuters video jumps forward to what Obama says about North Korea:
For decades, North Korea has chosen a path of confrontation and provocation, including the pursuit of nuclear weapons. It should be clear where that path leads. We have tightened sanctions on Pyongyang. We have passed the most sweeping UN Security Council resolution to date to restrict their weapons of mass destruction activities. We will not be cowed by threats, and we will continue to send a clear message through our actions, and not just our words: North Korea’s refusal to meet its international obligations will lead only to less security — not more.
I posted the full text of Obama's speech earlier here.
The New York Times has the video of the full speech, which runs for more than half an hour.
This CNN videoclip also shows Obama mentioning human rights while talking about cooperation with China.
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