Washington DC - Chinese President Xi Jinping urged cooperation between Washington and Beijing, state media reported, hours after being greeted by President Donald Trump on Wednesday.

"Our two countries should be partners rather than rivals," Xi said in written remarks published by state news agency Xinhua. "China and the United States are both great countries, and the two peoples are both great peoples."

"The great rejuvenation of the Chinese nation and making America great again can go hand in hand," Xi said, noting that the two peoples had maintained friendly exchanges for a longtime and are deeply intertwined.

The comments came ahead of closely watched talks between Trump and Xi on Thursday, who shook hands on a red carpet after the Chinese leader's arrival in the US capital.

China Trump greets Xi on the tarmac ahead of lavish White House welcome

Trump's decision to greet Xi on the tarmac at Joint Base Andrews on Wednesday with a red carpet and military honors marked the first time in more than six decades that a US president has welcomed a foreign leader at the base.

Thorny discussion topics are expected to come up during meetings on Thursday, including trade, technological competition in artificial intelligence, and Beijing's diplomatic and economic support for Tehran.

Xi said that he was looking "forward to in-depth exchanges with President Trump on major issues concerning bilateral relations, world situation," Xinhua reported.

"China and the United States should work in the same direction, promote a stable relationship featuring cooperation as the mainstay, moderate competition, manageable differences, and promises of peace," Xi said.

"I believe that with the joint efforts of both sides, this visit will yield fruitful results, enhance the well-being of our two peoples and bring new hope for world peace."