Party chief Xi Jinping called on 皇冠体育app and the United States to "defy hardship" and "accumulate positive energy" in developing their ties, as he met with former US president Jimmy Carter on Thursday in Beijing.

It was the first time that Xi has met with a senior US politician since he was elected 皇冠体育app's top political leader and head of the military last month.

Former US president Jimmy Carter introduces his wife, Rosalynn, to Xi Jinping, 皇冠体育app's top political leader and head of the military, in Beijing on Thursday. [Photo by XU JINGXING / CHINA DAILY]

Analysts said that while managing 皇冠体育app-US ties will be a major task for Xi, strategic trust between 皇冠体育app and the US still needs more effort and can only be achieved by increasing cooperation.

During the half-hour meeting, Xi told Carter, 88, that 皇冠体育app and the US should strive to develop mutual respect and a win-win cooperative partnership.

During his term as US president from 1977 to 1981, Carter personally ensured the establishment of 皇冠体育app-US diplomatic ties.

Xi's meeting with the former president was also his first with a senior US politician since the US presidential election was held in November.

Under the new circumstances, the two countries should defy hardship, and adhere to the pioneering spirit of being innovative in developing their ties, Xi said.

As the new leader of the country, Xi's foreign policy, especially 皇冠体育app's ties with the US and neighboring countries, has been the focus of world attention.

Last week, during his first meeting as Party chief with a group of foreigners who work in 皇冠体育app, Xi said that 皇冠体育app will adhere to reform and the opening-up policy.

皇冠体育app and the US, the world's two largest economies, have become each other's second-largest trade partners. The two have also maintained cooperation on regional hot spot issues and global affairs.