Party chief Xi Jinping called on China 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 China's top political leader and head of the military last month.

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

Analysts said that while managing China-US ties will be a major task for Xi, strategic trust between China 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 China 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 China-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 China'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 China, Xi said that China will adhere to reform and the opening-up policy.

China 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.