US President Barack Obama will discuss a wide range of issues, from the global economy to human rights, when he meets with Chinese President Hu Jintao at the White House next week.

"There will be discussion on global economic issues, as well as security issues like North Korea, Iran, and important issues of political reform and human rights," White House spokesman Robert Gibbs told a news briefing on Thursday.   

Obama and Hu will meet on January 19.

Washington wants China to allow its yuan currency to appreciate against the dollar to help fragile US growth by spurring exports to the Chinese market. It says this would also help China calm an economy that Beijing fears is overheating.
   

China, the largest creditor to the United States, has in turn voiced concern about aggressive US government spending and ultra-loose monetary policy that it says could sap the dollar and hit its US investments.

Washington also needs Chinese support in persuading North Korea to halt its nuclear weapons program, and Beijing's backing for steps to curb Iran's nuclear program the West says its aimed at obtaining an atomic bomb, a charge Tehran denies. - Reuters