WASHINGTON, April 20 (Xinhua) -- U.S. President George W. Bush held a ceremony Thursday morning on the White House South Lawn to welcome Chinese President Hu Jintao, who is in the U.S. for a state visit.

President Hu, accompanied by Bush, inspected the guard of honor after the two countries' national anthems were performed and a 21-gun salute.

The U.S. and Chinese presidents then respectively gave a speech at the ceremony.

The two leaders later held talks at the White House on issues ranging from Sino-U.S. relations to major international and regional issues of common concern.