Obama ready to talk tough with China's President Xi Jinping during US state visit
White House says the two leaders will discuss 'areas of disagreement' between the nations - China says these will include regional security
"Areas of disagreement" would be addressed during President Xi Jinping's state visit to Washington, the White House said on Wednesday, in language observers say suggests US President Barack Obama won't be pulling any punches.
READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Xi Jinping’s US visit: itinerary, issues and delegation
Obama and his wife Michelle would host Xi and his wife, Peng Liyuan, at a state dinner on September 25, the White House said.
Obama: China cannot push its 'little neighbours around'
Xi would be given a 21-gun salute on the South Lawn, the highest level of diplomatic pageantry for a foreign leader, The Washington Post reported.
Xi's state visit would run four days beginning on September 22, the foreign ministry said, and he would spend the following three days at the United Nations in New York, where he would deliver a speech. The global body is marking its 70th anniversary this month.
Read more: Sino-US bilateral investment treaty talks go down to the wire for Xi Jinping's state visit
The White House was direct in recognising the tensions between the two nations, saying the visit would enable Obama and Xi "to address areas of disagreement constructively", adding the summit offered a chance to expand cooperation in a variety of areas.