WASHINGTON - US President Barack Obama met at the White House on Wednesday with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi to discuss relations between their two countries, prior to Obama's upcoming visit to China.

Obama spoke highly of the constructive role that China has played in international affairs.

Obama said that he is looking forward to his visit to China in November, in which he will make in-depth exchange of views with Chinese President Xi Jinping on further promoting the establishment of a new type of major-country relationship between the United States and China.

He said he will also talk with Xi about the ways to promote practical cooperation between the two countries in various fields and to jointly respond to challenges of international and regional issues including climate change, the Ebola epidemic and terrorism.

Wang said that China agrees with the US proposal that China and the US should work together to maximize cooperation, and minimize difference.

China welcomes Obama's visit and is willing to work together with the US to deepen strategic mutual trust, expand cooperation of mutual benefit in various fields, and promote practical fulfillment of efforts for developing a new type of major-country relationship between China and the US, Wang said.

Wang also expounded on the Chinese government's principled position on Hong Kong's current situation.