Obama insists US does not fear China

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Rick Rycroft  /  AP

U.S. President Barack Obama shares a laugh with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard, left, as he arrives in Canberra on Wednesday.

CANBERRA, Australia — President Barack Obama insisted Wednesday that the notion that the United States fears China or wants to exclude the growing power from American economic alliances in the Asia-Pacific region is mistaken.

But he said the United States will keep sending a clear message that China needs to accept the responsibilities that come with being a world power.
"It's important for them to play by the rules of the road," Obama said during a joint news conference with Australian Prime Minister Julia Gillard.
Obama and Gillard announced a joint security pact that would increase U.S. military presence in Australia, a move widely viewed as an attempt to address China's growing aggressiveness in the region.More >