US President Barack Obama welcomed Chinese President Hu Jintao on Wednesday for an official state visit as ceremonies on the White House lawn kicked off with the national anthems for both countries, DPA reported
Hu stepped out of his limousine and was greeting by Obama in chilly temperatures for the first official state visit by a Chinese leader in more than 13 years. The two men then conducted in inspection of a military honour guard.
Top US and Chinese officials were on hand for what is expected to be a full day of talks followed by a state dinner Wednesday evening.
Behind all of the formalities, talks between the two countries are expected to be contentious. The economic powerhouses have had sharp disagreements over economic and monetary policies.
North Korea's nuclear activities and recent tension on the peninsula will also be high on the agenda.
US Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton said ahead of the summit that the two countries will be looking to intensify cooperation on a range of issues globally, as well as in Asia.