China has confirmed that President Hu Jintao will visit the United States later this month, a trip that it likely to address tensions on the Korean peninsula.
China's Foreign Ministry said Friday Mr. Hu will be in the United States from January 18 to 21. He is due to meet with U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House on January 19.
China announced no other details on President Hu's trip.
Thursday, U.S. diplomat Stephen Bosworth met with Chinese officials in Beijing on applying more pressure on China's long-time ally, North Korea, to resume the six-party talks on nuclear disarmament and to improve relations with South Korea.
There have been no six-party talks with North Korea since 2009. The North has since shelled a South Korean island, unveiled a highly-advanced nuclear enrichment facility, and been accused of sinking a South Korean ship. The sinking killed 46 sailors, while four South Koreans died in the shelling.
When meeting with Mr. Hu, President Obama is expected to pressure the Chinese leader to raise the value of China's currency, the yuan, and to narrow the trade gap between the two powerful economies.
Last month, the White House said Mr. Hu's visit to the U.S. will highlight the importance of expanding cooperation between the United States and China on bilateral, regional, and global issues.
President Obama paid a state visit to China in November 2009.
Some information for this report was provided by AFP and Reuters.
