BEIJING — President Obama made a big effort Tuesday at presenting his first visit to China as a step forward in America’s evolving relationship with its fastest rising competitor. But what emerged after six hours of meetings, two dinners, and a stilted 30-minute presentation to the press in which Chinese President Hu Jintao would not allow questions, was a picture of a China more willing to say no to the United States.

President Barack Obama toured the Forbidden City in Beijing, China on Tuesday.

At the news conference, neither President Obama or President Hu Jintao took questions from reporters.

President Obama and President Hu Jintao after making remarks to the press at the Great Hall of the People...