China, US to address differences ‘candidly’ as Barack Obama welcomes Xi Jinping to White House

US President Barack Obama yesterday said he and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping must address their differences "candidly", specifically raising the importance of protecting human rights.

"Even as our nations cooperate, I believe - and I know you agree - that we must address our differences candidly," Obama said as he welcomed Xi to the White House. "The United States will always speak out on behalf of fundamental truths. We believe nations are more successful … when our companies compete on a level playing field, when disputes are resolved peacefully and when the universal human rights of all people are upheld."

Xi said Sino-US relations had entered a new starting point, which required the two powers to enhance win-win cooperation.

"[Our] bilateral relationship … must be defined by peace, respect and cooperation," he said.

The two leaders met amid great pomp, with a military honour guard and a fife and drum corps on the White House lawn to welcome Xi.

While there has been little expectation that Xi's first US state visit will lead to a major breakthrough, analysts say the opportunity for the two leaders to meet is important as the White House has been finding it hard to get its views heard at the highest level of the Chinese leadership.

Xi and Obama spent a "number of hours" together on Thursday, including an approximately three-hour private dinner, officials said. "[They want] a smaller, intimate setting to have a real exchange," said the National Security Council's Daniel Kritenbrink.