US President Barack Obama is to meet Chinese Premier¹ Wen Jiabao on the last day of his much-watched visit to the rising Asian nation.

美国总统奥巴马在他万众瞩目的中国之行的最后一天将要会见中国总理温家宝。

spoke² of goodwill³ but trade ties are tense" width="226" height="170" src="/upimg/091118/4_025951_1.jpg" />
Mr Obama and Mr Hu spoke of goodwill but trade ties are tense

Trade disputes are likely to be on the agenda when Mr Obama has lunch with China's third-highest leader, who is responsible for the economy.

The US president will then pay a short visit to the Great Wall.

On Tuesday Mr Obama and President Hu Jintao agreed to co-operate on matters such as climate change and North Korea.

Speaking after two hours' of talks, Mr Obama said he had also raised human rights issues - including Tibet.

Mr Hu said the two nations could discuss such issues "in a spirit of equality... and non-interference in each other's internal affairs".

Mr Obama is on a week-long visit to the East Asian region. After China he flies to the South Korean capital, Seoul, for talks expected to focus on North Korea's nuclear ambitions（野心）.

Trade rows

Despite Tuesday's show of goodwill, correspondents said the issue of trade appeared to be a thorny⁴ one between Mr Hu and Mr Obama.

Beijing objects to US tariffs⁵（关税） on Chinese imports including steel and tyres.

Washington is concerned by the huge bilateral⁶ trade（双边贸易） imbalance, and accuses China of keeping its currency weak to make its exports more attractive.

Speaking after their meeting, Mr Hu called on the US to " reject protectionism", while Mr Obama urged Beijing to relax controls on the yuan.

Both sides acknowledge the need to reduce economic tensions, reports the BBC's Chris Hogg from Beijing, but so far Mr Obama's trip has not produced any breakthroughs.

As well as the economy, the issue of North Korea could be discussed in the meeting with the Chinese premier.

Both the US and China have been urging the reclusive（隐遁的，寂寞） nation to return to nuclear talks, and last month Mr Wen visited Pyongyang to meet leader Kim Jong-il.

After meeting Mr Wen the US president will visit a section of China's Great Wall.

He then goes to Seoul, where he will hold talks on Thursday with President Lee Myung-bak.