As US President Barack Obama starts his China tour in Shanghai, local residents are showing great interest in the President's first visit to the country.

China's financial center is rolling out the red carpet for Barack Obama's diplomatic debut.

Security has been beefed up around the Portman Ritz-Carlton Hotel, where the US President is supposed to stay, and the Shanghai Museum of Science and Technology, where he will interact with Chinese youth.

Local residents are also showing great interest in Obama's imminent visit. But they also have a wide range of concerns that stem from trade friction.

Local Resident, said, "There are many issues regarding trade protectionism, such as the dispute over tire and steel products. I hope they can be smoothed out soon."

Some have expressed hope Obama's visit to the city will bode well for next year's 2010 Shanghai World Expo.

Local Resident, said, "Shanghai will hold the World Expo next year, and it is a good chance for the development of the city. Obama's visit to Shanghai shows that he attaches great importance to the city."

China-US relations, however, remain a heated issue.

Student Shanghai, said, "I am most interested in what the relations between the two countries will be like in future."

China will be the second leg of Obama's Asia tour. Obama's visit to China is aiming at shoring up bilateral ties and deepening dialogue between the two countries.