After finishing a news conference a couple of hours ago, US President Barack Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao are attending the state-dinner with a number of US business leaders.

 

More than 200 guests are seated in three rooms: the State Dining Room, Blue Room and Red Room, before moving to the East Room for the evening's entertainment.

There are video monitors for those in the Blue and Red rooms to watch the dinner toasts.

This is Obama's first state dinner where they've opted against bringing in a high-profile guest chef, instead putting White House Executive Chef Cristeta Comerford in charge.

On the menu: d'anjou pear salad with farmstead goat's cheese, poached Maine lobster, orange glazed carrots and black trumpet mushrooms, dry aged rib eye with buttermilk crisp onions, double-stuffed potatoes and creamed spinach.

Dessert is to be old-fashioned apple pie with vanilla ice cream.

Members of Obama's Cabinet with seats at the table include Energy Secretary, Steven Chu, Commerce Secretary, Gary Locke and Education Secretary, Arne Duncan.

Former Secretary of State, Henry Kissinger is another guest.

And...It will be jazz on the stage and prominent Chinese-Americans in the audience as Michelle and Barack Obama pump out some high-octane pomp.

Jazz pianist Peter Martin, Jazz artists Dianne Reeves and Herbie Hancock are part of the evening performers.

Action film star Jackie Chan is also part of the celebrity quotient for the big party.