The president was cautious and careful in his town hall meeting. He praised his hosts but, using the language of diplomacy, he also talked about rights and freedom.

The US ambassador to China read out an internet user’s question about freedom of expression on the internet. The president’s response? The US and China have “different traditions”.

On the streets of the city we found many who were happy he was here. “His visit shows that China’s influence is increasing,” one woman told me. “The distance between our countries is getting shortened.”