A tarmac row between United States and Chinese officials as President Barack Obama arrived in the city of Hangzhou prompted the posting — and prompt deleting — of an uncharacteristically sarcastic tweet by a US spy agency.

"Classy as always China," read the Defence Intelligence Agency tweet, which linked to a New York Times article about the incident.

The post was quickly deleted, but not before the Wall Street Journal noticed the snark.

The agency later tweeted its apology: "Earlier today, a tweet regarding a news article was mistakenly posted from this account and does not represent the views of the DIA. We apologise."

The tarmac kerfuffle included a shouting match that broke out as White House staffers tried to help American reporters position themselves to film Mr Obama's arrival in the eastern Chinese city for a G20 summit.

"This is our country!" a Chinese official in a dark suit shouted at a White House staffer.

"This is our airport!"

The outburst was caught on camera in an awkward prelude to face-to-face talks between Chinese President Xi Jinping and his American guest.

Sorry, this video has expired White House press aide and Chinese official exchange heated words

When US National Security Adviser Susan Rice and senior White House staffer Ben Rhodes tried to get closer to the President, the official also turned his ire on Ms Rice, prompting her Secret Service agent to step in.

Mr Obama took the fracas in his stride, and said that although the United States insisted on press access and did not "leave our values and ideals behind", the travelling White House juggernaut could be intimidating.

He said the significance of the row should not be overblown.

Sorry, this video has expired Barack Obama responds to the incident between US and Chinese officials at the airport when he arrived.

AFP