Xi Jinping holds talks with US Vice President

BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with US Vice President Joe Biden Wednesday in Beijing.

Chinese President Xi Jinping shakes hands with US Vice President Joe Biden (L) inside the Great Hall of the People in Beijing December 4, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

At the beginning of their talks, Xi expressed hope that Biden's visit would further strengthen trust, exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

Speaking highly of the sound momentum of China-US ties since the start of the year, Xi said he and US President Barack Obama reached consensus in building a new model of major-country relationship in their summit in California and on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Russia.

The world is undergoing complicated changes, Xi said. China and the United States, as two major economies and permanent members of the United Nations Security Council, share important obligations to maintain world peace and stability and promote development, he said.

"To enhance dialogues and cooperation is the only correct choice for us," said the Chinese president.

Next year marks the 35th anniversary of China-US diplomatic ties. Xi vowed joint efforts with the US to respect each other's core interests and major concerns, boost pragmatic cooperation and coordination in global and regional issues, properly handle sensitive topics and differences, to ensure sustainable and healthy growth of bilateral ties,

Biden arrived in Beijing earlier Wednesday for a two-day official visit. This is his second visit to China as US vice president.