Davos, January 19 (RHC)-- The world needs China and the United States to have a stable and cooperative relationship, Chinese President Xi Jinping told U.S. Vice President Joe Biden at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Meeting on the sidelines of the forum, Xi told Biden that he “positively appraised” his efforts to increase friendship and mutual understanding between the two countries, China's Foreign Ministry said.  “In the 38 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations, relations between the two countries have weathered wind and rain, but generally have continued to forge ahead,” the statement paraphrased Xi as saying.

Under President Barack Obama, there has been a “correct” development in relations, and important and positive results achieved, with trade and people-to-people exchanges reaching new highs, Xi added.

“The basic interests of the people of both countries and the world need China and the United States to work hard, to form a long-term, stable cooperative relationship,” Xi said.  The statement cited Biden as saying that the U.S. hopes the two countries can continue to deepen mutual trust and expand cooperation.