Addressing the Australian parliament on Thursday, US President Barack Obama, lauded freedom, stating that "prosperity without freedom is just povery", and reiterated the US stands for "an international order in which the rights and responsibilities of all nations and people are upheld."
Watch his address in full here.
Extracts reproduced below:
"History shows that over the long run democracy and economic growth go hand in hand. And prosperity without freedom is just poverty."
"Every nation will chart its own course, yet it also true that certain rights are universal.
"Among them - freedom of speech, freedom of the press, freedom of assembly, freedom of religion, the freedom of citizens to choose their own leaders."
"These are not American rights, or Australian rights, or Western rights."
"These are human rights. They stir in every soul, as we've seen in the democracies that have succeeded here in Asia."
"If this vast region [Asia-Pacific] and its people teach us anything, it is that the yearning for liberty and progress will not be denied."
"The currents of history may ebb and flow, but over time they are moving decidedly, decisively in one direction,"
"History is on the side of the free - free societies, free governments, free economies, free people.
"And the future belongs to those who stand firm for those ideals, in this region and around the world."
"This is the work we will carry on together for the security, prosperity and dignity of all people."
On the US' economic policy, Obama reiterated the US' commitment to free markets and free trade,
"We seek economies that are open and transparent."
"We seek trade that is free and fair and we seek an open international economic system where rules are clear and every nation understands them."
Commenting specifically on US-China relations, Obama said,
"The United States will continue our efforts to build a cooperative relationship with China."
"All of our nations have a profound interest in the rise of a peaceful and prosperous China."
"We've seen that China can be a partner, from reducing tensions on the Korean penninsula to preventing proliferation. And we'll seek more opportunities for cooperation with Beijing, including greater communication between our militaries to promote understanding and avoid miscalculation."
