I'll give it a try and liveblog it. But I can't promise pithy comments aside from reporting.
Live Blog located at White House.gov here: http://www.whitehouse.gov/...
I changed the title of the diary. Ha, it's a Townhall not a speech, or as they are calling it in Chinese a face-to-face.
1:34pm:Tongji Student: Citing A Confucianism, good to have friends from afar. China focuses on harmony, the US on diversity. What will the US do to make a diversified world that respected different cultures?
1:35pm: No one definition of an American, tells the story of his family's multiple origins, looks like the UN. A strength because of learning from differences to a dynamic society. But each has its own history/culture/traditions and not assume what is good for the US is good for everyone. Need Modesty.
Reiterates opening remarks about fundamental principles. Examples: US support for UN efforts on Child Rights.
1:38pm: Treatment of women. In a discussion with Shanghai's mayor he said that more women are in and successful at college than men. Good progress, women's education and treatment an indicator of progress for nations.
1:39pm: Different cultures, but important to affirm women's rights and speak up and have a dialog with those who see different but stay true to values--but discuss with humility. US has progress to make, not perfect but need to speak to the ideals.
1:40pm: Internet Question from Taiwan. Doing good business in China thanks to cross-straight relations but worried about US arms sales to Taiwan may harm relations with the mainland. Does Obama support improved China-Taiwan relations?
Reader says Chinese students are all concerned of this.
1:42pm: Obama's Answer: Wants to keep status quo, and improve cross-strait relations and wants further improvement. Says between Taiwan and "the rest of" and corrects himself by saying "the PRC." Talking is the better course, and economic ties are lowering tensions.
Some still look backwards on Taiwan/PRC but when money is involved, it trumps ideology and US supports that.
1:44 pm:Shanghai student: Question on Nobel Prize, why did you win it,? Does it increase pressure and responsibility to promote peace and influence his international dealings?
1:45pm: Great Honor, doesn't deserve it looking back at who has won. Must accept the honor and Nobel Committee was inspired by the US people and the possibility of changing the US and its global approach. A symbol of the shift in world affairs under him.
Honored to be president, Michelle reminds him that he volunteered when he complains about the pressure. "You made your bed, now you have to sleep in it."
Everyone has a duty to promote peace. Hard, many old conflicts. Brings up the Middle-East, 1000-year arguments. Difficult Ethnic/Tribal conflicts in Africa. As president he is the C-in-C, and must protect Americans first. 9/11 gives him an obligation to root out terrorist orgs. and cooperate with nations to do so. Violence can never be eliminated but reduced through exchange of dialog, ideas, cultures.
1:49pm: Technology a double edged sword. US and China can work together to reduce conflicts.
1:50pm:Big countries (US/China) must take care not to just use their power to act alone. Be responsible in the community of nations. US/China can create global norms for peace.
1:51pm: Question on Chinese Firewall, and should twitter be used freely?
1:55pm: Too clumsy for twitter not like kids but supports the free flow of information to strengthen society. Citizenry can hold their own government accountable and think independently for new ideas/creativity. Strong supporter of non-censorship and internet use. Different countries have different traditions. Unrestricted internet access is a US strength and encourages it.
As President he wishes he could restrict information so he wouldn't hear being criticized so much. (yay us?) But because information is free, even when criticizes say all sorts of things, it makes the democracy stronger because he must deal with dissenting opinions and forces him to reevaluate his daily actions.
I won because I mobilized internet youth. Set up local events, a bottom up movement. Can be applied to business. Google revolution through the internet that powered Google with freedom/openess. No restrictions on Internet or Twitter and unites the world.
Daughters can learn about Shanghai or anything through the internet. But a dark side, terrorist can organize in new ways--a price but the advantages are too important.
1:56pm: Question: Compliments Obama's clear speech. From Fudan school of management. Because of Nobel exclusivity, how did you get it and what's your educational history that helped you get such things?
1:58pm: No recipe for a Nobel, but for success hardwork/study/curiosity goes a long way.
(Missed a Section. Sorry.)
Many paths to success and professions. But as long as your drive to improve remains and you can have a new approach to problems, you can usually rise above the rest. Most successful people are those who want to help society, country, city. Want to have an impact beyond themselves. Pursuit of personal material gain is important but to make a global impression have ambitions to better all people (feed people, teachchildren, peacemakers).
LAST QUESTION
2:02pm: Fudan University Student, asks from "Netizens" asks from the internet: Is Terrorism still the greatest concern in light of military actions in Afghanistan or Iraq?
2:05pm: AQ is the biggest threat. Small, but no conscience when it comes to destroying innocents. Technology makes it easier to get a nuke or bio weapon, and if used in a big city a few can kill 100 thousands. Went into Afghanistan because AQ were there but they went to Pakistan and have links to extremist organizations in the region. Stabilize Afghanistan to protect themselves and so they can help us fight the extremist networks.
Ordering soldiers to battlefield is a difficult thing. Often must meet with the parents of the dead. Heavy heart. US Armed Services believe in serving their country so they are willing to go. US and coalition to train the Afghans to have their own forces and then pull their own troops out so they fill the power vacuum.
2:06pm: (Continued) Not just a military exercise. Why would a young person be a suicide bomber? Many reasons, perversion of religion. No opportunities, see this as the only option since they have no way to move forward.
Better teachers and schools and ag. will give hope. Won't stop Osama, but will diminish the AQ recruiting pool and this is the key for military actions.
2:07pm:Great English! Glad to speak to you! Hope we can improve relations with China. Come visit! Americans like the Chinese, with our youth and the people of our countries we can improve the world!
Thanks bye!
And thank you to everyone who followed allong.