Chinese President Xi Jinping (L Front) holds a welcoming ceremony for US President Barack Obama (R Front) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2014. (Xinhua/Huang Jingwen)

 
Chinese President Xi Jinping started talks with his US counterpart Barack Obama Wednesday morning at the Great Hall of the People in central Beijing.

Before their talks, Xi held a red-carpet ceremony to welcome Obama, who arrived in Beijing Monday to attend the 22nd Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders' Meeting and pay a state visit to China at Xi's invitation.

On Tuesday evening, the two heads of state held a meeting already at the Zhongnanhai leadership compound in central Beijing after the APEC meeting.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) holds a welcoming ceremony for US President Barack Obama at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2014. (Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping (2nd L) holds a welcoming ceremony for US President Barack Obama (3rd L) at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Weibing)

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping (L) holds a welcoming ceremony for US President Barack Obama at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2014. (Xinhua/Liu Jiansheng)

 

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) holds a welcoming ceremony for US President Barack Obama at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, capital of China, Nov. 12, 2014. (Xinhua/Li Xueren)