On February 7, 2012, Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping discussed bilateral ties with his U.S. counterpart Joe Biden during a telephone conversation.

Xi said that China-U.S. relations have maintained their momentum for steady, positive development in recent years. In particular, the decision made by President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart Obama to build a China-U.S. cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit has pushed bilateral ties to a new phase.

Xi said he is scheduled to pay a visit to the United States at the invitation of the U.S. Vice President. Xi said that his trip is aimed at implementing the consensus reached by the presidents of the two countries to promote the building of a China-U.S. cooperative partnership on the basis of mutual respect and reciprocity while maintaining stability of bilateral ties. 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 and send a positive signal of working together to strengthen coordination and cooperation. 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 peoples.

Biden said that the U.S. side warmly welcomes and is looking forward to Vice President Xi's visit. He said 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 be a great success and demonstrate to the two countries and the world the development prospects and pragmatic achievements of the cooperative partnership between the two countries, Biden said.