Hu Jintao in US: Obama to host talks on thorny issues

[Gerald]

China's President Hu Jintao is to hold talks with his US counterpart Barack Obama later, on the first full day of his state visit to the US.The two leaders are expected to tackle thorny issues from currency and trade disputes to defence and security matters, that have dogged relations.

At a joint news conference, President Hu is expected to face questions on China's human rights record.

Hundreds of rights activists have held protests outside the White House

Mr Hu arrived at Andrews Air Force base outside Washington on Tuesday, greeted by US Vice-President Joseph Biden, and attended a rare private dinner at the White House hosted by President Obama.

As Mr Hu dined, activists outside the White House held aloft banners urging the US president to to "admonish Hu" over China's human rights abuses.

In particular they want him to call for the release of the jailed Nobel Peace Prize winner Liu Xiaobo, correspondents say.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-pacific-12223965


Note: 19 January 2011 Last updated at 09:27 GMT