>> this is "the journal". >> the u.s. and china pledged to overcome their differences. protests continue over the inclusion of ministers from the former regime in the transitional ever in. >> the german government said the economy is firing on all cylinders. >> as president hu jintao's as it continues, president barack obama has raised some sensitive

topics in killing -- including currency and human rights. obama said china's currency is undervalued and should be dictated more by market forces. >>he pressed on the human rights record of china, reaffirming the u.s.'s commitment to pporng hihuman rights. the chinese president admitted his country has a lot to do in that area. the visit has been anticipated as the most significant meeting in recent times. that was reflected by events of the white house on the first full day of his visit. >> hu received a carefully choreographed welcoming ceremony after writing the previous evening. the 21 gun salute and fanfare reserved for state visit. images likely to go down well in beijing. it is a meeting of titans.

u.s. president barack obama representing what is the world's most powerful country despite its faltering economy. chinese -- and the chinese premier hu jintao, leading of the emerging superpower that is the motor of the global economy. obama chose to underline the importance of ties with beijing and address the concerns of many americans who are wary of china's growing influence. commercial ties are taking center stage at the talks. another sign of china's soaring economic confidence and clout. beijing has so far taken its line on crucial issues such as global trade imbalances and measures to combat climate change. the outcome of this state visit will have a big impact on the future course of the world's two most powerful nations. >> max joins us fromashiton. can you tell us about what the ader had to say during a press conference?

>> it was not easy to understand at the beginning because there were some technical issues, some transition issues. there was no simultaneous tren anslation. president obama managed to touch upon basically every topic that is important in u.s.-turner relationships. foreign policy issues that the americans are for a nuclear-free korean peninsula in accordance with the chine. he tristani currency issue say that the -- touched on the currency issues and saying that the rmb is undervalued. while the u.s. acknowledges that is part of china, he encouraged discussion. president hu was more general and stressed the importance of cooperation with the exchange, especially among the young people of china and the u.s.

he said all this could take place in t corporation -- and the corporation could take place between these countries if there was non-interference and mutual trust. what this means is between the lines that china does not want the u.s. to interfere in topics like human rights in order to conduct business with them. >> speaking of business, that aspect seems to be going smoothly. >> it does. there were great export deals, a great deal of export deals signed during the visit. one including 200 airaft by boeing being sold to the chinese. that has a volume of $19 billion. this is a huge deal and all the deals combined have a volume of $45 billion. even if there are some touchy issues, the chinese are not hesitating to spend money. >> speaking of touchy issues, let's talk human rights. how did he respond to reporter''

questions on that issue? >> it seems president hu did not want to answer but that was probably due to the general problems. he was very general in his answers, saying it was important to the chinese that every person was taken care of in china and they were trying to improve the situation. he asked for understanding and said china was a developing country and the conditions in china were different from the conditions of people in the u.s. there was no surprise in what he said. he did say it was important. >> to daysha's interim president has promised to deliver a complete break with the past. both political parties will be separated. his comments come as the opposition party decides not to return to the government well members of the cabinet remain in

office. the interim government has been crippled by resignations but it appears it has been able to meet some of the protesters' demands including freeing all political prisoners and legalizing banned political parties. protesters say it is not enough. >> demonstrators are not backing down. they were back on the streets, demanding that former regime members big kick out of the interim government. for these people, the old ruling party is dead and buried. >> the party will be gone. we will not tolerate it. >> they might have their wish. tunisian prosecutors have opened a wide-ranging investigation into the financial dealings of the ousted president and his extended family.

>> you want a government that will save the country and take into account the opinion of the tunisian people. the swiss government has frozen the assets of the former president. a sign that the tunisian people are being heard at home and abroad. >> hungary's prime minister has been outlining als r the eu presidency. it was overshadowed over controversy about the media laws. critics said it amounts to state censorship. eu politicians have called for the laws abolition. >> green is the color of hope, and it is the color& hungary chose to promote the presidency. it was a green party that-any hopes that sidestepping the controversy -- that dashed hopes

about sidestepping the controversy. >> this law allows power to check the media. a democracy cannot allow this and that is why we as europeans are so concerned. >> the hungarian president countered this with his own warning. >> you may have your own views about politics in hungary, but do not confuse intnal matters wi the eu presidency. if you do, i am prepared to fight. >> alban has been promoting the presidency. >> yee-haw for the german economy. >> i thought it would be start talking about the eurozone debt crisis for the rest of the week.

the economics ministry is out with its latest forecast and it bullish. domestic demand is set to move up one gear. the economy is forecast to grow by 2.3%. a lot more than predicted. as companies boos hiring, unemployment is expected to fall to 7%. >> the crisis is over and the recovery in full swing. the german economic plan described the current state. >> we an the other -- and many other hard-working people can be proud. we can afford to be happy about the fact we have weathered the economic crisis better than any other western industrialized nation. >> they said the growth was based on consumer spending and exports. there is good news for the labor market.

>> this year, the unemployment will stay below an average of 2 million and fall below the next year. where on the fast track to unemployment. -- to full employment. >> he said the time was ran for tax cuts. a longstanding bone of contention between his party and the cdu. germany's generous subsidies to the solar power industries will be scaled back faster than expected as the cost of supporting the industry explodes. reports that the government is planning a 50% cut in july on top 9% cut planned for the end of the year. according to the most recent statistics, homeowners to generate their own solar power get 43 cents for every kilowatt hour of electricity they fade into the grid. if the government goes ahead with its plans, that figure could drop by almost half by the end of 2011.

the main proposal was to put a cap on the total amount of subsidies paid. that means the more solar plants that are built, the less in subsidies there will be to go round. this is paid for by energy consumers in the form of a surcharge on their electricity bills. consumers of renewable energy are exempt. reports say the government wants to change that. >> it was not all bad news this wednesday. we have this report on trading at the frankfurt stock exchange. >> not all solar energy companies were losers. for some, especially providers of solar energy technology, the cut the subsidies might even bring to push of new orders. many will try to befit at the last minute from the subsidies and installs solar energy technology before the subsidies are being cut.

the stock market in general this wednesday in frankfurt, not really inspiring. the euro as on -- was on the rise. it is connected to the speculation that interest rates in the eurozone may be heading upward again. >> thank you. let's look at the numbers. starting in frankfurt were the blue chip daxindex has fallen to 7082. it is down 0.75 of 1% on wall street. we have got stocks sliding, the dow jones down by 0.25 of 1%. the euro is at two months high against one u.s. dollar. -- $1.74 u.s. the barge carrying sulfuric acid s tied over and is not

salvage. authorities have had to close the ryahnie. -- rhine. it is a disaster and the ripples are spreading. one of europe's busiest waterways normally. it is unusually quiet right now. not even the local ferias running. there is a tale of 250 transport barges. some of them manage to offload their freight but not anymore. there are no more that tore belgian trucks anymore. there is the capacity and the barges have no way of reaching the ports of the north sea. real transport is also not an option. the capacity is limited and there are too many containers back debt. every day spent waiting costs the skipper's money. they have no choice other than to sit it out and wait till the

capsized taker is salvaged and the river can be reopened. lufthsa h results and -- resolved a 10 months' pay dispute. both sides aren't accepting a proposal prepared by the mediator in the dispute. -- both sides are accepting a proposal prepared by the mediator. there will be given improved working conditions and include more stable work schedules and better regulated breaks and rest periods. but attendance will receive a one-off payment of 1000 terrace. -- flight attendants will receive a one-off payment of 1000. >> aristide's return comes days

after john pajean-claude duvalir returned. duvalier ridding supporters from his hotel in port-au- prince. he said he had come back to help the haitian people. less the 48 hours after his return, the 39-year-old was led away by police for questioning. -- 59-year-old was led away by police for corruption. he was charged with all theft and abuses power. he was president in haiti between 1971 and 1986. he is accused of embezzling hundreds of millions of dollars from his country during this time, lodging in the cash in swiss bank accounts.

he came to power at 19. maintaining the brutal dictatorship of his father. his bullish them murdered and tortured thousands. despite this, some are nostalgic for his error, comparing it to the current turmoil. people were taken care of during the regime. >> in the country grappling with a political crisis, many have fears about his return. the believe the presence of a polarizing figure could prompt further unrest. >> you are watching "the journal". we will be looking at the plight of activists in belarus.

>> your patience with elaris appears to be running out. the invitation to the unit security conference has been rescinded. angela merkel has threatened the country with sanctions. there has been international outrage at the president's latest crackdown on political opponents. this after more than 700 demonstrators were arrested during protests against december's election. which is widely to havconsidereo have been raped. there is noroom for operation in his belarus. >> daniel is 3 years old. his grandmother says he is usually a cheerful, happy go

lucky kid. he has not seen his parents for over a month. they have been in prison since the presidential elections. >> the little fellow keep asking -- keeps asking, where is mama, where is public. i said there on a journey. he asks me less often. he gives me a hug and tells me how much he loves me. >> this is the kgb headquarters in minsk where it is thought daniel's parents are being held. that's not been allowed to see their son or their lawyer. -- they have not been allowed to see their son or their lawyers. he was among the opposition candidates with the best chances. even back then, he was afraid the elections would be rigged. after the election, he and his wife took part in demonstrations in central minsk along with thousands of other people. the authorities crack down harder on the protests and he was injured.

he and his wife were arrested. since then, lucina has been looking after the y. the women are afraid the authorities will put dannell in an orphanage. ? i was really scared. i know the regime could put pressure on his mother. the nose with the people in power will come up with next? ? we're worried about our son and daughter. the prospect of daniel being taken away is the worst of all. >> after the elections, the

regime tried to crack down on journalists with raids and arrests treated one example was the popular radio station. it has been banned from broadcasting. the regime accused the edor in chief and his team of extremism. >> we know the reason. theythey broadcast the commerics for the candidates. >> elaris appeared to be opening up to work on -- belarus appeared to be opening

up for your. artists spoke of more civil liberties in belarus. the situation suddenly changed after election night. he cannot explain why. >> my friends and i rejected. what is happening here is real but no one expected it. no one thought the powers that be with lose their nerve like that. >> the european union has threatened consequences if the regime does not soften its stance. the german government's human rights commissioner traveled to minsk in the hope of mediating. but, his calls fell on deaf ears. >> of violence against demonstrators, injured people

being taken to jail without treatment. people prevented from contacting their relatives. police searches and ngo offices, and independent journalists offices, and other forms of persecution. i expressed our art rage and demanded the release the political -- our outrage and demanded the release the political prisoners. the europeans are calling us to respect the rule of law. they expect us to ignore our own laws when it suits the west. that is not right. >> dannell is too young to understand all that. he realizes more visitors are coming to see him. he is getting lots of presents. his grandmother's need all the support they can get to protect their grandson from the regime. >> she is a courageous woman. her daughter is in jail and her son-in-law is in jail. she is looking after the boy.

sheikh deserves our support. >> for markets, what is important fo-- marcus, what is important is to keep up the pressure. there will decide whether daniel can stay with his grandmother. his parents are to go on trial and face up to 15 years in jail. >> we spoke to maria beck who has been to belarus and is active in demanding more human rights. we asked her how she believed the u.s. should react to the oppressive regime. >> deftly there has to be a strong answer because we should not for that in 1999 and 2000, there has been people who disappeared and many signs

were sent the regime had part in this disappearance. it came back and the eu came back trying to reach out the hand to the regime, especially for the benefit of the regime. he has been violating all international laws and human- rights, so there cannot be a just going on in business as usual. >> are economic sanctions an option? >> i think sanctions will more be visa sanctions. all those people who are part of the repressive regime and the injustice will not be able to travel into the european union anymore. i hope that their bank cards -- big accounts will be frozen and

there will be a shift to the european programs which have to come to the benefit of a civil society but not come to the benefit of the regime. >> what is the outlook for belarus if he stays in power? >> i think at the moment, you must expect he is trying to mesh any opposition there is. -- smash any opposition there is. it is difficult for young people and academics, those who won an open society, who want to live to the west. if he will put the country into this dark stage, it will be very sad for our friends and people of belarus. rex thank you very much. -- >> thank you.

>> that is "in depth". thanks for watching. captioned by the national captioning institute --www.ncicap.org--