Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping discussed bilateral ties with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden during a telephone conversation on Tuesday.

Xi, who is scheduled to pay an official visit to the United States next week, said during the talk with Biden that China-U.S. relations have maintained their momentum for steady, positive development over the years.

Xi said that his trip is aimed at implementing the important consensus reached by the presidents of the two countries to promote the establishment of a China-U.S. cooperative partnership on the basis of mutual respect and reciprocity.

The Chinese vice president said that he is looking forward to conducting extensive and in-depth discussions with U.S. officials on bilateral relations and other major issues so as to consolidate the consensus.

He said that he also hopes to make contact with people from various walks of life in the United States in a bid to promote mutual understanding and friendship between the two countries.

Biden said that both U.S. President Barack Obama and himself attach great importance to Xi's visit and expect that the two sides can have in-depth talks on bilateral relations and other major issues of common concern.

The U.S.-China relationship is of great significance not only to the two countries, but also to world peace and development, Biden said.

The United States believes that Xi's visit will demonstrate to the two countries and the world the development prospects and pragmatic achievements of the cooperative partnership between the two countries, Biden said.