Beijing, Nov 17 (IANS) Chinese President Hu Jintao and visiting US President Barack Obama started official talks in Beijing Tuesday morning to discuss bilateral ties and global issues of mutual concern.

The talks were held at the Great Hall of the People after a closed-door meeting between the two presidents, Xinhua reported.

It is the third meeting of the two leaders this year following one in London in April and another in New York in September.

Obama is on his first state visit to China Nov 15-18 as a guest of the Chinese president.