The Red Carpet Welcome

Talk about a grand entrance! I can't think of anything in life that is more "pomp and circumstance" than a State Arrival ceremony at the White House. It's a big deal.

There's a military honor guard with all branches of the U.S. military represented. The Old Guard Drum and Fife Corps. Hu Jintao arrives in a limousine, greeted by President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama. He's also greeted by Vice President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, Secretary of Defense Robert Gates, and other high ranking administration officials and cabinet members.

There's a 21 gun salute.

Both national anthems are played. The gun salute stunned some Chinese members, who noticeably flinch during the first few booms.

Obama and Hu greeted guests. Stopping by the President's youngest daughter, Sasha, who was with classmates in the crowd. Obama and Hu also inspected the honor guards.

Then, they stand together, side by side, on the stage and make remarks at the podium. Obama's and Hu's remarks were translated through a microphone so the crowd could hear and understand every word.

"We have an enormous stake in each other’s success. In an interconnected world, in a global economy, nations -- including our own -- will be more prosperous and more secure when we work together," President Obama said.

And, Obama went there with Human Rights: "History shows that societies are more harmonious, nations are more successful, and the world is more just, when the rights and responsibilities of all nations and all people are upheld, including the universal rights of every human being."

Chinese President Hu Jintao spoke after President Obama, saying the relationship between the US and China should be based on mutual respect. "We live in an increasingly diverse and colorful world. China and the United States should respect each other’s choice of development path and each other’s core interests. We should deepen mutual understanding through communication, increase mutual trust through dialogue, and expand common ground through exchanges."

After the cermony, Obama and Hu headed into the Oval Office to continue their discussion.