国内英语新闻:Chinese president starts state visit to U.S.

"China stands ready to work with the United States to actively develop China-U.S. relations on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit and join all other countries in a common effort to build a harmonious world of lasting peace and common prosperity," Hu said.

In the statement, Hu lauded the wholly sound momentum of growth in Sino-U.S. relations over the past three decades, citing fruitful cooperation in a wide range of areas and productive communication and coordination on major international and regional affairs.

"Our cooperation has brought tangible benefits to the two peoples and played an important role in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and beyond," Hu said.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (C) is welcomed upon his arrival at Washington, the United States, on Jan. 18, 2011. Hu Jintao landed here Tuesday for a four-day state visit.

During the visit, his second to the United States as head of state of China, President Hu and his U.S. counterpart Obama will map out a blueprint together for China-U.S. cooperation for the new era, Chinese officials said.

The two leaders are expected to have extensive and in-depth discussions on major topics of mutual interest when they meet for talks at the White House on Wednesday.

Before their Wednesday talks, Obama will host a small private dinner in the Old Family Room at the White House for President Hu Tuesday evening, hours after the Chinese leader's arrival.

"It's a very unusual -- unusually small dinner that we'll have with President Hu, again reflecting the relationship that we are evolving, and the opportunity to have candid conversation in much less formal settings than you typically would see, frankly, in a meeting between the Chinese and the United States," U.S. National Security Advisor Tom Donilon told reporters last Friday.

The Chinese leader will be welcomed at a formal ceremony given by Obama at the White House ahead of their talks. Obama will host Hu for an official state dinner on Wednesday night.