Hu Jintao Visits the U.S.

Musician Herbie Hancock waves to guests as he steps on the stage for his performance during a state dinner reception hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama for Chinese President Hu Jintao at the East Room of the White House January 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama hosted a state dinner for Hu’s state visit to the United States this evening.

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China's President Hu Jintao speaks before offering a toast during a State Dinner hosted by President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, in the East Room of the White House in Washington.

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Former President Bill Clinton, right, greets President Barack Obama as Obama arrives at a State Dinner in honor of China's President Hu Jintao, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, at the White House in Washington.

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Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) speaks during a state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama at the State Dining Room of the White House January 19, 2011 in Washington, DC. Obama is hosting a state dinner for Hu's state visit to the United States this evening.

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From left, Coca Cola Company CEO Muhtar Kent, first lady Michelle Obama and China's President Hu Jintao toast during a State Dinner in the East Room of the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011.

Carolyn Kaster / AP Photo

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US President Barack Obama toasts with Chinese President Hu Jintao during a State Dinner in the State Dinning Room at the White House in Washington, DC, on January 19, 2011. Obama and Hu sparred over human rights but smoothed over sharp differences by making an economic and strategic case for working together. On a long-awaited state visit, Hu made the unusual comment for a Chinese leader that "a lot" remained to be done on freedoms in China, but pointedly did not share Obama's view that basic human rights were "universal."

Mandel Ngan / AFP / Getty Images

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Microsoft CEO Steve Ballmer and his wife Connie Ballmer arrive at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, for a state dinner in honor of China's President Hu Jintao.

Evan Vucci / AP Photo

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Olympic figure skater Michelle Kwan arrives at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, for a state dinner in honor of China's President Hu Jintao.

Evan Vucci / AP Photo

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Jamie Dimon, chief executive officer of JPMorgan Chase & Co., right, and his wife Judith, arrive for a state dinner hosted by U.S. President Barack Obama and first lady Michelle Obama, for Chinese President Hu Jintao, at the White House in Washington, D.C., U.S, on Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011. Obama said the U.S. and China both reap substantial benefits from cooperation on economic and strategic issues even as friction remains over currency, trade and human rights.

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Actor Jackie Chan arrives at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, for a state dinner in honor of China's President Hu Jintao.

Evan Vucci / AP Photo

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Goldman Sachs CEO Lloyd Blankfein and his wife Laura Blankfein arrive at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, for a state dinner in honor of China's President Hu Jintao.

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Sen. John Kerry (D-MS), center, faces the press corps with wife Teresa Heinz kerry before President Obama hosts Chinese President Hu Jintao at a State Dinner at the White House, January, 19, 2011 in Washington, DC.

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Walt Disney Company CEO Robert Iger and Willow Bay arrive at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, for a state dinner in honor of China's President Hu Jintao.

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Vogue Magazine's Anna Wintour (R) and Shelby Bryan arrive for the State Dinner in honor of Chinese President Hu on January 19, 2011 at the white House in Washington, DC.

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Actor James Brolin, left, and his wife, singer Barbra Streisand arrives at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, for a state dinner in honor of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

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Designer Vera Wang arrives at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 19, 2011, for a state dinner in honor of Chinese President Hu Jintao.

Evan Vucci / AP Photo

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Michelle, President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China attend the 2011 State Dinner.

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President Obama and President Hu Jintao of China attended a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.

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President Hu attended a state arrival ceremony on the South Lawn of the White House.

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President Hu and President Obama shook hands in the Oval Office.

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President Hu and President Obama held a joint press conference in the East Room of the White House.

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President Obama and President Hu met with business leaders in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building on the White House complex in Washington. From the left are Liu Chuanzhi of Lenovo; Lou Jiwei of China Investment Corporation; President Hu; President Obama; and Jim McNerney, CEO Boeing.

Evan Vucci / AP Photo

Hu Jintao Visits the U.S.

From childhood details expunged from the record to a splendid hall full of forbidden dragons, Newsweek’s Melinda Liu reports on the Chinese president, an intensely private leader that some officials worry is too aloof for the international stage.