On U.S. soil: Chinese President Hu Jintao walks alongside U.S. Vice President Joe Biden upon arrival at Andrews Air Force Base in Maryland. U.S. President Barack Obama is hosting Hu on a full state visit.
The Chinese president arrived in the United States on Tuesday to meet with his US counterpart, Barack Obama, in what is being billed as the most important visit of its kind in three decades.
Chinese President Hu Jintao arrived in the United States on Tuesday for a four-day state visit against the backdrop of US complaints about Beijing"s currency policies.
Hu received a red-carpet greeting with full military honors at Andrews Air Force base, being met by Vice-President Joe Biden before heading to a rare, private dinner with US President Barack Obama in the White House residence.
They were joined by Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and US National Security Advisor Tom Donilon, and their Chinese counterparts.
Standing on ceremony: Both men stand side by side during the countries' respective national anthems. A State dinner will be held in Hu's honour in Washington tomorrow night.
No mistakes: Members of the U.S. Air Force practice rolling out the red carpet prior to the arrival of Chinese president. Both nations will be very keen not to embarrass themselves in front of the other.
Show of friendship: American and Chinese flags fly along Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington.
On Wednesday, Hu is to be formally welcomed at the White House with full diplomatic pomp before meeting with Obama for talks in the Oval Office.
The pair will also attend a meeting of top business leaders from both nations, with multi-billion-dollar deals on the table.
Chinese diplomats travelling ahead of Hu had already on Monday signed deals with six US companies to the tune of $600 million (450 million euros).
Tibetan supporters protest outside the White House
Issues at stake
Analysts are calling Hu"s visit the most important by a Chinese leader in 30 years. It comes as the world"s two largest economies have clashed repeatedly over the value of the Chinese currency, the yuan.
US officials maintain that China keeps the yuan artificially low to boost exports a practice they say harms American jobs and growth.
Trade disputes, US arms sales to Taiwan and the awarding of the Nobel Peace Prize to Chinese dissident Liu Xiaobo have also been contentious issues leading to prickly relations in recent months.
Whilst few analysts expect major breakthroughs on any of these key issues, the White House is expected to push the Chinese delegation on a number of issues, including cooperation on controlling Iran"s nuclear program, exercising a moderating influence on North Korea, and helping to ensure a peaceful outcome to South Sudan"s independence referendum.
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