Pomp and ceremony as Obama and military honour guard welcome President Xi Jinping onto White House lawn

United States President Barack Obama welcomed Chinese President Xi Jinping to the White House on Friday with full state honours, amid tensions between the superpowers over cyberattacks and Beijing’s maritime claims.

The leaders of the world’s two biggest economies met amid great pomp, with a military honour guard and a fife and drum corps on the White House lawn to welcome Xi.

READ MORE: Everything you need to know about Xi's US visit

In his remarks welcoming Xi, Obama said “Ni Hao” and said that by cooperating the two nations had an unmatched ability to shape the course of the century.

Obama said the US welcomed the rise of China, but added that Washington would be candid in its discussion over a wide range of issues.

“Even as our nations cooperate, I believe – and I know you agree – that we must address our differences candidly,” Obama said. “The United States will always speak out on behalf of fundamental truths. We believe nations are more successful and the world makes more progress when our companies compete on a level-playing field, when disputes are resolved peacefully and when the universal human rights of all people are upheld.”