Visiting Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama began talks early Wednesday at the White House, and are expected to "have extensive and in-depth discussions on major topics of mutual interest."

The talks, which started soon after Hu attended a formal welcome ceremony held by the U.S. side, featured two parts -- a small bilateral meeting in the Oval Office, and then an expanded one in the Cabinet Room.

The talks are expected to focus on bilateral ties and major international and regional challenges, Chinese officials said.

Speaking at the welcoming ceremony, President Hu said he had come to the United States to increase mutual trust, enhance friendship, deepen cooperation and promote a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century.

"President Hu and President Obama will map out a blueprint together for China-U.S. cooperation for the new era. They will also have extensive and in-depth discussions on major topics of mutual interest," Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi said at a luncheon hosted by the Council on Foreign Relations in New York two weeks ago.

In a written interview with The Washington Post and The Wall Street Journal Monday, President Hu said, "China and the United States have major influence in international affairs and shoulder important responsibilities in upholding world peace and promoting common development."

"Under the new circumstances, the common interests of our two countries have been growing and areas of cooperation expanding," he said.

When meeting the Chinese foreign minister on Jan. 4, Obama said he "looked forward to the visit of President Hu and to the U.S. and China working together effectively to address global challenges."

After the talks, President Hu and President Obama will meet for about 45 minutes with business leaders of the two countries at the White House to discuss ways to expand trade and investment opportunities between China and the United States.

Following the meeting with business leaders, the two presidents will meet the press in the East Room of the White House.

Later, President Hu will attend the luncheon to be hosted by U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Secretary of State Hillary Clinton at the State Department.

According to the schedule, Obama will host Hu for an official state dinner Wednesday night.

Since President Obama took office two years ago, the overall development of China-U.S. relations has been stable despite disputes over issues related to Taiwan, Tibet, the RMB exchange rate and trade between the two countries.

Hu and Obama agreed to build "a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century" when they met for the first time in London in April 2009.

In November 2009, Obama paid a state visit to China, during which the two sides reiterated in a joint statement that "they are committed to building a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship for the 21st century, and will take concrete actions to steadily build a partnership to address common challenges."

In the past two years, Hu and Obama have met several times.