China's President Xi Jinping has called for the injection of what he termed as "positive energy" in the relationship between China and the United States.

President Xi made the remarks, as he met with visiting former US treasury secretary Henry Paulson at Beijing's Great Hall of the People, and as the two sides prepare for the sixth China-US Strategic and Economic Dialogue (SED) which Beijing is hosting on July 9 and 10.

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Paulson heads the University of Chicago-based Paulson Institute, which promotes wider bilateral exchanges and cooperation worldwide, and actively campaigns for global environmental protection from the impact of climate change.

The institute has established offices in Beijing recently and is currently pursuing sustainable urbanization projects in China.

In his remarks, Paulson said his institute is devoted to developing stronger China-US relationships, assuring the Chinese leader that the US business community continues to push for early approval of the bilateral investment treaty (BIT).

The BIT will be on top of the agenda during the upcoming SED.

US State Secretary John Kerry and Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew will lead the US team as special representatives of US President Barack Obama.

The Chinese side will be headed by Vice Premier Wang Yang and State Councilor Yang Jiechi, representing President Xi Jinping.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesman Hong Lei said that China hopes both sides will work together to strengthen strategic communication, promote cooperation and exchange, and properly handle differences so as to push forward the building of a new model of major power relationships.

TagsHenry Paulson