Chinese President Xi Jinping held talks with his visiting US counterpart Donald Trump on Thursday, saying that bilateral ties were at a “new historical starting point”.

The two leaders met at the Great Hall of the People here, reports Xinhua news agency.

Trump arrived here on Wednesday on a three-day visit, the third leg of his five-nation Asia tour after stops in Japan and South Korea.

Xi said cooperation was the “only correct choice” for China and the US to maintain healthy relations.

The two countries also agreed to strengthen communication and coordination on issues including the Korean Peninsula and Afghanistan.

This is Trump’s first visit to China as US President and the third meeting with Xi this year.

Trump and Xi are also expected to discuss the US trade deficit with China.