Hosted by Cheney, Hu will open his two-day visit with Taiwan question and anti-terrorism issues on agenda during his talks with top US leaders.

Besides his meetings with Bush and Cheney, Hu is expected to meet with US congressional leaders and other top officials, including World Bank Chief James Wolfensohn.

Hu, 59, on Monday visited New York City, where he rang the opening Bell at the New York stock exchange, met New York Mayor Michael Bloomberg, and made a 10-minute stop at the site of the September 11 terrorist attack on the World Trade Center.

The Vice-President also had talks with UN Secretary General Kofi Annan, which is described as "warm and cordial", a statement issued by Annan's office said, adding that Hu said the United Nations was an "irreplaceable organization," and that the UN chief praised China for its cooperation, help and assistance for African countries."

He will finish his official, six-day visit to the United States with a stopover in San Francisco on Thursday.

(China Daily April 30, 2002)