Hu Jintao: Heckled in America

Going by US estimates, the trade deficit between America and China hit a record high of more than 200 billion dollars last year. Some blame China for keeping its yuan at low value and creating trade advantages for Chinese exports. America is also pushing China to enhance intellectual property rights protection, and open its market access to US companies.

A week ago, after meetings of a Joint Commission on Commerce and Trade, Chinese officials pledged to lift a ban on US beef, crack down on pirated software and begin negotiations on allowing foreign companies to compete for Chinese government contracts.

Image: President Bush and President Hu Jintao answer questions from the press during their Oval Office meeting.

Photograph: Tim Solan/AFP/Getty Images

Also See: Journey to the Middle Kingdom