Xi, Obama to meet in Washington

BEIJING -- Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet with his US counterpart Barack Obama on the sidelines of the fourth Nuclear Security Summit in Washington next week, a senior official said on Thursday.

"It will be the first meeting between the two heads of state this year. It will be of great significance in advancing the bilateral relationship in a sustained and stable way," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said at a briefing on Xi's upcoming overseas trip.

Li said President Xi will also meet with other state leaders on the sidelines of the nuclear security summit to exchange views on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

Invited by Obama, Xi will attend the fourth Nuclear Security Summit to be held in Washington from March 31 to April 1.

Prior to attending the nuclear security summit, Xi will make a state visit to the Czech Republic from March 28 to 30 at the invitation of Czech President Milos Zeman.