McAleese holds talks with Chinese President

The President Mrs Mary McAleese today held talks with the Chinese President, Mr Hu Jintao on the third day of her official visit to the country.

Mr Hu invites Mrs McAleese to inspect the Chinese guard of honor

Accompanied by Mr Hu, Mrs McAleese reviewed a guard-of-honour during a welcoming ceremony at Tiananmen Square's Great Hall of the People in Beijing. The square was the scene of a massacre of pro-democracy workers and students in 1989.

The leaders discussed ways to improve trade between the two countries and President McAleese extended an invitation to President Hu to pay a reciprocal visit to Ireland.

She will also attended a State dinner in her honour today.

Mrs McAleese is joined in the Irish delegation by her husband Dr Martin, the Minister for Education Mr Dempsey and 190 other officials and business persons.