Amid the US president's diplomatic rhetoric on peace and collaboration, he made a carefully worded defence of human rights and firm advocacy of the free flow of information.
Addressing university students in Shanghai yesterday, Barack Obama said his nation was founded on the ideal that 'all men and women are created equal' and that they had the right to certain inalienable liberties.
'These freedoms of expression and worship - of access to information and political participation - we believe are universal rights,' he said. 'They should be available to all people, including religious and ethnic minorities - whether they be in America, China or any other nation.'
Obama spoke at length on internet freedom, which he said 'makes our democracy stronger'.
'In the US, the fact that we have free internet access is a source of strength,' he said.
The question asking for the president's views on the mainland's infamous firewall was posted online, but was read by US ambassador to China, John Huntsman. All three other online questions were selected and read by university students.