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Obama calls Hu, discusses Pakistan, N Korea
US President Barack Obama spoke to his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao over phone and discussed with him several issues, including security concerns over North Korea and Pakistan, besides the global economic crisis.
US President Barack Obama spoke to his Chinese counterpart Hu Jintao over phone and discussed with him several issues, including security concerns over North Korea and Pakistan, besides the global economic crisis.
“President Obama spoke with Chinese President Hu on Thursday morning and discussed ways to enhance cooperation on the global economy and health issues,” the White House said in a statement.
The two leaders also discussed regional security issues, it said.
“President Obama described to President Hu his concerns over recent actions by North Korea and threats to Pakistan by militant extremists and terrorists,” the White House said.
The telephonic talk between the two presidents took place before Obama met his visiting counterparts from Pakistan and Afghanistan, Asif Ali Zardari and Hamid Karzai.
“The two leaders agreed to stay in close touch with each other on these important issues,” the White House said.
The conversation between the two leaders was the first since they met in London ahead of the G-20 summit last month.
It also came closely after a naval standoff between Chinese fishing boats and a US navy vessel off the Chinese mainland -- the latest in a series of such confrontations on the sea.
The White House, however, did not elaborate on whether Obama and Hu discussed the issue.
