The Friendly Facade at U.S.-China Talks

Chinese President Hu Jintao will arrive in Washington on Jan. 18 for talks with U.S. President Barack Obama. Likely Hu's last official trip to the United States, the leaders are expected to discuss some of the most pressing issues in the bilateral relationship, including trade, North Korea and military-to-military dialogue, but it is unlikely that the pleasantries will translate into any concrete action to address fundamental disagreements, especially with China's 2012 leadership transition looming.