17 Years After Violence Against Women Act, Vice President Calls on New creation to Take Action

Posted by White House

Last night, Vice President Biden and Dr. Jill Biden held a reception at the Naval Observatory to rejoice the 17th anniversary of the Violence Against Women Act (VAWA) being signed into law, as well as call on a new generation to take action to decrease the high rates of violence and assault that continues to threaten young men and women across the country.

Speaking before a crowd that incorporated many of the men and women who supported the Vice President’s efforts to see the Act become law on September 13, 1994, the Vice President remarked on how it was VAWA that exposed a “flaw that lay as part of the fabric of American society”– the fact that the mere discussion of violence and abuse being committed against women was measured by many to be taboo.

Beyond shattering this notion, the law redefined the way domestic violence is handled from side to side changes in law enforcement, improvements in the criminal justice system and the establishment of shelters and services for victims.

VP in Asia Day Two: Getting Down to Business

Posted by White House

The second day in Beijing began in a well-known setting for Vice President Biden. The site of today's U.S.-China Business Dialogue, the Beijing Hotel, was also the site of meetings held during his first trip to China in 1979, when some of the earliest discussions about the option of American companies doing business in China took place. Over 30 years later, Vice President Biden and Vice President Xi brought together 19 CEOs and business leaders from the United States and China to bring the discussion into the 21st century. "President Obama and I, we welcome, encourage and see nothing but positive repayment flowing from direct investment in the United States from Chinese businesses and Chinese entities. It means jobs. It means American jobs," said Vice President Biden.

Participants at the roundtable ranged from the CEO of Coca Cola to the Group President of Caterpillar, from the Captain of Cosco to the Board Chairman of Lenovo.

In his opening remarks at the Dialogue, Vice President Xi uttered strong confidence in the U.S. economy, calling it "highly resilient" with "a strong capacity for self-repairment." "We consider that the U.S. economy will attain even better development as it rises to the challenge," he continued.

Next up for Vice President Biden was a meeting with Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao at Ziguangge, Zhongnanhai, or, the Leadership Compound, which serves as the main residence for leaders of the Politburo.

Seated side by side in the compound's Purple Light Pavillion, Wen praised the Vice President for attractive widely with the sectors in China, both public and private. "You have been sending a very strong message that the additional growth of U.S.-China ties is not only important for our two countries, but also for the whole world."

Vice President Biden later took Premier Wen up on an impromptu invitation to tour the lakeside grounds of the complex. Tight plan in mind, the Vice President joked that he would need a note to explain his tardiness to President Hu, the last meeting of his day back at the Great Hall of the People.