A warm welcome for China's heir apparent

WASHINGTON - The man destined to be China's next leader won an extraordinary welcome across Washington on Tuesday, a finely scripted opening to one of the world's most important relationships. Trading kind words of cooperation, President Obama and Xi Jinping also spoke directly about human rights and worsening foreign crises.

Everything about the day reflected just how much China and the United States need each other, no matter what their differences, given their economic and military might and global influence. Xi got a lengthy Oval Office audience with Obama, an elaborate reception at the State Department, full military honors at the Pentagon, a gathering with chief business executives, and an invitation for dinner at Vice President Biden's house.

At the center of it was a president seeking four more years and the man expected to lead China for the next decade. Xi, whose full name is pronounced shee jeen-ping, is China's vice president and is expected succeed Hu Jintao as president in 2013.

"I'm sure the American people welcome you," Obama said.

The U.S. president and vice president, though, both sent stern messages to China about showing more responsibility economically, a sign of simmering frustration over currency and trade policies. Obama said China must play by "the same rules of the road" as the world, and Biden warned Xi that cooperation "can only be mutually beneficial if the game is fair."

All the symbolism and protocol were intended to pay dividends in the coming decade and to reciprocate for Biden's warm stay in China last year.

There were no obvious breakthroughs - Xi is not empowered yet anyway - but the stature he is set to assume was enough to draw rare attention.

Never before, for example, has the Pentagon heralded a visiting vice president the way Xi was. Defense Secretary Leon E. Panetta greeted Xi on the steps of the Pentagon's River Entrance, facing the Potomac, as U.S. troops held an honor cordon for him. He got a 19-gun salute.

The relationship between the nations is complex. It is strengthened by their joint need for international stability and economic growth, yet tested by currency disputes, China's limits on basic human freedoms, trade imbalances, and growing military tensions.