"We do not seek to contain China's rise. On the contrary, we welcome China as a strong and prosperous and successful member of the community of nations," said Mr Obama. The US leader is likely to continue to take pains to foster good relations on a trip to the ancient Forbidden City in Beijing today.

Still, his words at the "town hall" style question and answer session with students in Shanghai included comments that were unmistakably critical of the Chinese government: politely, but firmly, defending calls for greater freedoms, and in particular with regard to the internet. China employs some of the world's tightest controls over the 250 million of its citizens who are internet users. Indeed, online news stories about Mr Obama's comments were quickly deleted.

BEIJING — President Obama made a big effort Tuesday at presenting his first visit to China as a step forward in America’s evolving relationship with its fastest rising competitor. But what emerged after six hours of meetings, two dinners, and a stilted 30-minute presentation to the press in which Chinese President Hu Jintao would not allow questions, was a picture of a China more willing to say no to the United States.

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