US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao have pledged to apply their joint political influence to tackle major global issues. President Hu vowed to work for "positive" and "cooperative" ties with the Obama administration after two hours of talks in Beijing's Great Hall of the People on the edge of Tiananmen Square. The leaders held a joint press conference, in which they read out statements but took no questions from journalists.

President Hu said that China is willing to open up a dialogue on the issue of human rights, but stressed that the two countries must treat each other as equals. Mr Obama said that human rights applies to all minorities. The US president said China should resume talks with representatives of Tibet's exiled leader the Dalai Lama to resolve differences over the Himalayan region. Beijing claims the Dalai Lama is trying to split Tibet from the rest of the country. The Dalai Lama's office has responded to President Obama's comments by stating it was ready to resume talks with Beijing.

The two leaders - representing the world's two biggest emitters of greenhouse gases - agreed on the need for action on climate change ahead of next month's climate summit in Copenhagen. Mr Obama appeared to raise hopes that a deal could be struck in Copenhagen, adding that their aim there is "not a partial accord or political declaration" but an accord that covers all of the issues and one that has immediate operational effect.

President Hu and President Obama also agreed to push North Korea to re-enter stalled talks on its nuclear programme. On Iran and free trade, it was apparent that there were differences. Mr Obama warned that if Tehran did not demonstrate its "peaceful intentions" with its nuclear programme, it would face consequences. Mr Hu said the issue needed to be resolved through "dialogue and negotiations".

On the subject of free trade, the Chinese leader also told Mr Obama that the US should oppose and reject protectionism. Washington recently introduced extra tariffs on Chinese tyre exports. President Obama voiced some concern about China's yuan currency being kept artificially low to boost Chinese exports.

President Obama is also visiting the Forbidden City and the Great Wall of China. He will leave China on Wednesday to travel on to South Korea. He earlier visited Japan and Singapore on what is his first visit to Asia as US president. Next year, President Hu will pay an official visit to the United States.