Trip hailed by US business community

The visit by Barack Obama, also the first since he took office, has been well received by US businesses in China who believe the official tour will bring them benefits.

"We welcome President Obama to China. We are pleased that the state of China-US relations remains strong," said the American Chamber of Commerce in China in a statement.

"Solid bilateral trade relations between the US and China are important to the business community. AmCham-China believes in ongoing dialogue," said the statement.

Clean energy and energy efficiency are key topics for Obama in his consultations with Chinese President Hu Jintao. The US expects to improve the job situation by selling its technologies to China, which has been committed to energy saving.

The US companies involved in the business are more than happy to see such dialogues.

It has had a strong presence in China, with six corporations here. It has helped equip the eye-catching Beijing Taiyanggong power plant with its high-efficiency and low-emissions technology.

"The project really leads the industry in the successful deployment of advanced technology, maximizing efficiency while minimizing environmental impact," said Jack Wen, president and CEO of GE Energy China.

However, Jack Rosen, chairman of American Jewish Congress and chief executive of several commercial and residential real estate firms, said: "I don't expect that we will see any significant breakthroughs on this trip but it will form an important base and leaders will begin to understand each other a little bit better."

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