President Xi Jinping met Monday with his US counterpart Barack Obama on the sidelines of the third Nuclear Security Summit which is being held Monday and Tuesday at The Hague in the Netherlands.

It is the first meeting between the two presidents this year.

Xi said that China is firmly committed to building a new model of major-country relations.

"We are committed to our position of no confrontation, no conflict, mutual respect and win-win cooperation with regard to the United States," the Chinese leader said, adding that China will continue with its aim of "adopting a more positive attitude" and "more vigorous actions" to strengthen cooperation with the United States.

Obama spoke of his wife’s ongoing trip to China – the first independent trip to the country by a US first lady: "I want first of all to thank the president and the first lady for being such a gracious host for Michelle for her first visit in China,"  he said, adding that they have had the chance to see the Great Wall and the Terracotta warriors. Michelle Obama is in China with her daughters, Malia and Sasha, and her mother Marian Robinson. 

Xi joked that Mrs Obama asked him to "formally convey to Obama her best regards." 

Obama said economic issues are the cornerstone of the Sino-US relationship. "We not only work on issues of mutual interest and concern, but we are also able to work through questions that exist in our relations," he said. 

Xi thanked Obama for US interest and participation in the search for missing flight MH 370. 

Observers said that topics such as the crisis in Crimea and issues concerning the Asia-Pacific region are expected to be on the agenda – in addition to bilateral ties.

The Nuclear Security Summit is an initiative of Mr Obama, who considers nuclear terrorism to be one of the greatest threats to international security.