Hu was received by local dignitaries upon his arrival by air in the West Coast city of Seattle.
The Chinese president is due to tour the campus of software giant Microsoft and Boeing's aircraft factory near Seattle later today.
He will then go to Washington for talks with U.S. President George W. Bush on April 20. The two presidents, whose respective countries are permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, are expected to discuss Iran's nuclear standoff with the West.
(CNN, dpa)
RFE/RL Iran Report
RFE/RL Iran Report