 "Tensions to mark Xi Jinping's White House visit")
President Barack Obama will offer his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping a full state welcome at the White House later this month, belying tensions fueled by Beijing's increased military assertiveness.
The commanders-in-chief from the world's two largest economies will meet amid global financial unease and with mounting US disquiet about Beijing's behavior in cyberspace and on the high seas.
Obama has been under pressure to downgrade the visit, expected on September 24-25, with Republican presidential candidates saying Xi does not deserve the prestige of a state dinner.
More than half of all Americans have an unfavorable view of China, according to a recent Pew Research poll, including 63 percent of Republicans.
The White House has rebuffed Republicans' calls, stressing the value of engagement, but it has also signaled a more confrontational stance on cyber security, maritime disputes and the economy.
Administration officials have pointedly let it be known that Chinese firms and individuals could face sanctions for targeting US firms and stealing millions of highly sensitive government personnel files.
US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew has also warned publicly that China would be held responsible for the political and economic impact of its currency policies after last month's yuan devaluation.
The move shook global financial markets that were already jittery over a deceleration in China's economy, which has grown at breakneck speed for more than two decades.
But the biggest point of contention may be in the military sphere, were China has proven increasingly forthright.
China's growing might was on full show during a recent parade to mark the 70th anniversary of World War II.
Although Xi used the event to announce the People's Liberation Army would shed 300,000 soldiers, the unveiling of anti-ship ballistic missiles capable of destroying US carriers caught the most attention in Washington.
Obama is certain to confront Xi -- who is also chairman of China's Central Military Commission -- over a series of maritime moves the White House deems to be provocative.
Washington has said that it is considering sailing destroyers or other naval ships within 12 nautical miles of islands man-made by China, as well as flying P-3 and P-8 surveillance planes overhead.
The commanders-in-chief from the world's two largest economies will meet amid global financial unease and with mounting US disquiet about Beijing's behavior in cyberspace and on the high seas.
Obama has been under pressure to downgrade the visit, expected on September 24-25, with Republican presidential candidates saying Xi does not deserve the prestige of a state dinner.
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"I would not be throwing him a dinner. I would get him a McDonald's hamburger," said Republican presidential frontrunner Donald Trump.
More than half of all Americans have an unfavorable view of China, according to a recent Pew Research poll, including 63 percent of Republicans.
The White House has rebuffed Republicans' calls, stressing the value of engagement, but it has also signaled a more confrontational stance on cyber security, maritime disputes and the economy.
Administration officials have pointedly let it be known that Chinese firms and individuals could face sanctions for targeting US firms and stealing millions of highly sensitive government personnel files.
US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew has also warned publicly that China would be held responsible for the political and economic impact of its currency policies after last month's yuan devaluation.
The move shook global financial markets that were already jittery over a deceleration in China's economy, which has grown at breakneck speed for more than two decades.
But the biggest point of contention may be in the military sphere, were China has proven increasingly forthright.
China's growing might was on full show during a recent parade to mark the 70th anniversary of World War II.
Although Xi used the event to announce the People's Liberation Army would shed 300,000 soldiers, the unveiling of anti-ship ballistic missiles capable of destroying US carriers caught the most attention in Washington.
Obama is certain to confront Xi -- who is also chairman of China's Central Military Commission -- over a series of maritime moves the White House deems to be provocative.
Washington has said that it is considering sailing destroyers or other naval ships within 12 nautical miles of islands man-made by China, as well as flying P-3 and P-8 surveillance planes overhead.