Wei Jingsheng the pro democracy dissident is released on medical grounds after nearly 18 years of incarceration and deported to the United States. He had been released in September 1993 as part of China's bid to host the 2000 Olympic games but when China was beaten by Sydney, Australia for the games in November he was put in jail again. Wei Jingsheng was in jail for the crime of treason, but the real reason was his outspoken writings against the ruling communist regime including condemning Chinese occupation of Tibet.

Barack Obama continues his tour of Asia by holding a summit in Beijing with Chinese leader Hu Jintao. Mr. Obama was given an official welcome in the Great Hall of the People, before going for talks with the Chinese president. Trade, climate change and economic issues are expected to dominate procedings. The two men had also met for dinner. Before the closed-door meetings began, Mr Obama said: "We believe strong dialogue is important not only for the US and China, but for the rest of the world."