Obama's China Town Hall (PHOTOS)

Obama held a historic town hall with around 500 Chinese students in Shanghai Monday in which he discussed how the free flow of information actually makes countries stronger. The town hall was a more subdued affair than similar events in the States; as the New York Times noted, "the audience seemed handpicked by the government and many were members of the Communist Youth League, which is closely affiliated with President Hu Jintao."

But that doesn't mean there weren't plenty of smiles among the Chinese students who got a chance to greet the president. Check out some of the best moments below and vote for the most memorable photo from the event.

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[capitalismisevil]

dear leader accomplished NOTHING on this trip, was a glorified sight seeing tour.

[JTHC75]

Orwellian. All of these "hand-picked" students are party hacks, China's future leaders, children of the current leaders.

It was a staged event, not even widely broadcast. And what did Obama achieve with this visit? Nothing. Read some other news apart from HuffPo. This visit was embarrassing.

[MARNIE2]

....ALL FLUFF ...AND ..NO STUFF !!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!!!!!­!!!!!!! NO WORK ALL..PLAY ???????ALL DAY..LOL ! : (

[LeroyJenkins]

the ladies love him and the guys are HATING

[dlo2]

Niall Ferguson and Moritz Schularick wrote in today's New York Times an excellent article "The Great Wallop" which is a must-read to understand briefly the issues impacted by China that are exquisitely critical to America and the world's recovery from this economic calamity we are experiencing. They say that China currently has "$2.3 trillion" in currency reserves "at least 70% are dollar dominated" and further state: "A heavily undervalued renminbi is the key financial distortion in the world economy today..." and China needs to give Obama "a clear commitment to globalization and free trade, and an end to the nascent Chinese-American tariff war".

[tbonehead]

Don't think about talking to US students; will brainwash them in a heartbeat. China's students are smarter and not so easily brainwashed; look at their test scores!!!

[wanttruth]

Great pictures.

[Christian]

But a waste of time when there are real problems in this world. He needs to come home and break up some banks, get health care done, and figure out how to help the economy create some jobs. From the way he has governed, he doesn't want to solve problems and fight political battles, he just wanted to be president.

[tbonehead]

Hey Christian, China is our economy and a lot of other things that are and will be crucial to this country; have you been anywhere, done anything, thought for a second.

[Khrish]

I so wish that so many Americans would come out of their backwardness and ignorance as concerns Foreign Policy and protocol. When I read many comments they sound so uninformed and stupid.

[care4mypeeps]

Thats a beutiful picture of our President. While he is picking up the trillion pieces the Bush Administration left for President Obama he is doing a great job bringing respect back to the United States.

Lets remember to Pray for our President, his family and staff. Lest also pray that the Republicans will move out of the way and allow Change to take place.

And the most important prayer is for peace and prosperity for All the World.

[Khrish]

Prayer without work is a long slow process. The conservatives have no desire to better the country nor themselves. They still think that they are the dominate culture of the world and the center of the universe. Until they wake up and realize how their stubborness holds the country back, they will never come out of their silly backwardness. They don't care about the majority of their constients at home and that is evident from the way they are treating the representative from Louisiana. Feed them cake and if they become ill let them fend for themselves is what they want every Republican to do. It's such a disgrace and there should be some form of political punishment for what they are doing in their jobs. They have nothing to offer and they do not intend for anyone in this country to get one thing that will make life better for them. It's like some form of treason. They are aware of what will happen to the financial structure of this country without healthcare reform and instead of explaining to their folk who do not know, they would rather sell them down the river.

[care4mypeeps]

Khrish I agree and will take it a step further. Those who are in God's way will be removed easily. The Republicans are no longer disguising what they are doing, they don't even care but when the children of God pray things change.

Just like Pharoah the Republican Party will have to meet God and answer to their stubborness and obstructionist behavior.

When God speaks everyone will hear.

[beebletree]

No shoe throwing is also a great sign!!

[xypher0725]

I loved the part where the tall kid in one pictures greeted the President by first telling him how lucky and honored he felt. It's great to have a President that garners respect for our country.

[willowsbasket]

Hand picked students to show off China's best, but also those who pass rigorous security, in order to be that close in proximity to our President.

The World looks to President Obama to lead us all forward into a better future, and so he shall.

[mcantwell]

Even the handpicked students seem happy to see President Obama.

[Seattlelite]

Notice the smiling faces, everywhere he travels oversees he's welcomed and people are thrilled to see him. What a contrast from the last 8 years. I'm so proud of our President AND first lady.

[MomfromTexas]

A big x2!!!!!!!

[mcantwell]

X 3

[coco51]

The most thing that stands out the most to me, is how dignified the students look. They were so well-dress­ed...every­one had on a jacket, some could have been "party" jacket but nevertheless dressed as a form of respect for their country, their visitor and themselves. It's kinda refreshing

[laikhuram]

it's simple. the students have been picked up to make us feel that way. Refreshing. The real Chinese students and kids are under the carpet, red carpet.

[beebletree]

curtain?

[Khrish]

How do you know that. Some of you just make up stuff because you are so hateful.

[veteran1964]

At least he didn't PUKE on them.

[Horst]

Bush Sr threw up on the Japanese foreign minister (not Chinese, although they probably all look alike to you).

[Khrish]

Ha Ha! Do you think they even try to tell the difference. So ignorant and incurious.