Chinese state dinner now a date: Sept. 25

WASHINGTON — One of the most contentious state dinners in recent history now has a date.

President Obama will host Chinese President Xi Jinping for dinner at the White House Sept. 25, reciprocating Obama's trip to Beijing last year. Obama first extended the invitation in February, but both countries have been unusually discreet about the details of the visit.

The state visit comes amid a particularly challenging time in U.S.-Chinese relations, with American officials protesting Chinese involvement in hacking U.S. computer networks, the devaluation of the Chinese currency and delicate environmental talks by the world's two biggest polluters in advance of a climate summit in Paris in December.

Top U.S. officials met with their Chinese counterparts in Washington last week, where they had "a frank and open exchange about cyber issues," the White House said.

Republicans, including presidential candidate Scott Walker, have called on Obama to cancel the state visit in protest.

In a statement, White House Press Secretary Josh Earnest said the visit would enable "President Obama and President Xi to address areas of disagreement constructively."