The US president has held a dialogue with students at Fudan University in Shanghai. After fifteen minutes of opening remarks, free discussions gave Barack Obama and the students a chance to learn more about each other face to face.

US President Barack Obama gestures as he delivers a speech at a dialogue with Chinese youths at the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum during his four-day state visit to China, November 16, 2009. [Xinhua]

Before his political tour in Beijing, Barack Obama got a chance to refresh his thoughts. And China got a hint of what he's bringing.

US president Barack Obama said, "The notion that we must be adversaries is not precedent. Indeed, because of our cooperation, the United States and China are more prosperous and more secure."

This is the first town-hall style meeting between a visiting US President and his audience. Instead of a speech in a huge theater, it's the give-and-take of questions and answers.