Chinese president meets US secretary of state

President Xi Jinping on Saturday met with visiting US Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss bilateral ties and issues of common concern.

Xi first recalled Kerry's last visit to China as chairman of the US Senate foreign relations committee in May 2009.

Xi described Kerry as a veteran US statesman, adding that he appreciates Kerry's commitment to developing US-China ties.

Kerry is the second US Cabinet member Xi has met since becoming president in March, following US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, who visited Beijing in March.

"These meetings have reflected the great importance both China and the United States have placed on bilateral ties," Xi said.

Xi said China-US relations are in a new historic period, referring to the inception of the new governments of both countries.

Xi recalled a telephone discussion with US President Barack Obama on the day Xi was elected, saying they reaffirmed their commitment to developing new China-US relations.

Xi called on both countries to take a strategic and long-term view of China-US relations, carry out dialogue and cooperation in a positive attitude, deal with their differences in the spirit of mutual respect and substantiate their partnership.

"We should blaze a trail for a new type of relations between major powers that features equality, mutual trust, tolerance, mutual learning, cooperation and common prosperity," Xi said.