Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the US is not a full state occasion, but there was still much to prepare before his welcoming ceremony at the White House.

Chinese guests gathered to watch the occasion were keen to take pictures of the leaders.

Mr Hu's visit drew crowds of protesters determined to make their points on a range of subjects, including the banning of the Falun Gong spiritual movement in China.

The protesters included a Taiwanese group demonstrating against China's build-up of missiles targeting the island.

But the Chinese leader's visit also drew supporters to the White House.

Mr Hu was greeted with a colourful display of pomp and pageantry on the South Lawn.

Both leaders reviewed the troops, and there was a 21-gun salute in honour of the occasion.

The mood between the leaders was warm, but there was embarrassment when Mr Hu's speech was interrupted by a Falun Gong protester shouting slogans.

In an another embarrassing moment, Mr Hu sought to leave the podium at the wrong time, and Mr Bush had to lunge and grab him by the jacket.

Mr Hu's four-day US visit is being closely watched by people in both China and Taiwan.