Beijing - Chinese President Hu Jintao and US President George W Bush held formal talks on Sunday, after Bush appealed for greater religious freedom during a church visit earlier in the day.

Chinese state media said Hu hosted a banquet lunch for Bush at the government's Zhongnanhai leadership compound following the talks.

But the reports gave no immediate details of the talks, which were scheduled to last 30 minutes.

Bush earlier visited Beijing's Kuanjie Church for Sunday morning worship.

"You know, I've just, Laura and I just had the great joy and privilege of worshiping here in Beijing, China," he said as he left the church.

"You know, it just goes to show that God is universal, and God is love, and no state, man or woman should fear the influence of loving religion," Bush said.

Bush also watched Olympic swimming races on Sunday morning and planned to attend a China-US Olympic basketball game in the evening.

He was one of some 80 heads of state who attended the Olympic opening ceremony in Beijing's 91,000-seat "Bird's Nest" National Stadium on Friday night. (dpa)