UPDATE 1-HIGHLIGHTS-Obama-Hu joint news conference in Beijing
(Adds quotes on Iran)
BEIJING, Nov 17 (Reuters) - Following are key quotes by U.S. President Barack Obama and his Chinese counterpart, President Hu Jintao, from their joint statement to the media in Beijing on Tuesday.
ECONOMY
-------------- HU JINTAO:
"We reiterated that we will continue to increase dialogue and cooperation on macroeconomic and financial policies and continue to consult, on an equal footing, to properly resolve and address economic and trade frictions, in a joint effort to uphold the sound and steady growth of our business ties and trade.
"I stressed to President Obama that under the current circumstances our two countries need to oppose all kinds of trade protectionism even more strongly."
BARACK OBAMA:
"Going forward we agreed to advance the pledge made at the G20 summit in Pittsburg and pursue a strategy of more balanced economic growth. A strategy where America saves more, spends less, reduces our long-term debt and where China makes adjustments across a broad range of policies to rebalance its economy and spur domestic demand. "I was pleased to note the Chinese commitment made in past statements to move toward a more market-oriented exchange rate over time."
CLIMATE CHANGE:
---------------
OBAMA:
"We've agreed to a series of important new initiatives in this area. As President Hu indicated, we are creating a joint clean energy research centre and have achieved agreements on energy efficiency, renewable energy and cleaner uses of coal, electric vehicles and shale gas."
Of the Copenhagen talks, he said: "Our aim there...is not a partial accord or a political declaration but rather an accord that covers all of the issues in the negotiations and one that has immediate operational effect." HUMAN RIGHTS
---------------
HU:
"The two sides reaffirmed the fundamental principle of respecting each other's sovereignty and territorial integrity. Neither sides supports any attempts by any force to undermine this principle.
"We will continue to act in the spirit of equality, mutual respect and non-interference in each other's internal affairs, and engage in dialogue and exchanges on such issues as human rights and religion in order to enhance understanding, reduce differences and build common ground."
OBAMA:
"I spoke to President Hu about America's bedrock beliefs that all men and women possess certain fundamental human rights. We do not believe that these principles are unique to America but rather they are universal rights and that they should be available to all peoples, to all ethnic and religious minorities.
"We did note that while we recognise that Tibet is part of the People's Republic of China the United States supports the early resumption of dialogue between the Chinese government and the representatives of the Dalai Lama to resolve any concerns and differences that the two sides may have."
IRAN
-----------------------
HU:
"We both stressed that to uphold the international nuclear non-proliferation regime and to appropriately resolve the Iranian nuclear issue through dialogue and negotiations is very important to stability in the Middle East and the Gulf region."
OBAMA:
"We agreed that the Islamic Republic of Iran must provide assurances to the international community that its nuclear programme is peaceful and transparent.
"Iran has an opportunity to present and demonstrate its peaceful intentions but if it fails to take this opportunity, there will be consequences." (Compiled by Golnar Motevalli; Editing by Nick Macfie)
