China and the United States agreed on measures to reduce the possibility of military accidents in the air and at sea, and to limit greenhouse gases as the two leaders pledged on Wednesday to manage differences and boost cooperation.

President Xi Jinping said he held "constructive talks" with US President Barack Obama and that the two had also agreed to speed up discussions on a bilateral investment treaty.

China and the US are to develop major confidence-building measures on defense and to step up communication in fighting terrorism, Xi added, calling for continuing efforts to build a new type of major-country relationship thanks to joint efforts from both sides.

Obama hailed opportunities for the world's two largest economies to work together toward prosperity and security in the region and around the world.

The US not only welcomed China's rise as a peaceful, stable nation, but wanted to support it - reassuring words for a Chinese public wary of US efforts to contain China, Obama said.