Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in Sochi, Russia, Feb. 7, 2014, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games. [Photo/Xinhua]

SOCHI, Russia - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Friday met with UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon here, ahead of the opening ceremony of the 22nd Winter Olympic Games.

Noting that the cauldron of the Sochi Winter Olympics will be lit up on Friday night, Xi said the Olympic ideal of peace is highly consistent with the UN's principle of promoting peace for mankind.

The UN is playing an irreplaceable role in dealing with global threats and challenges and acting as an important platform for strengthening and improving global governance, Xi said.

China vigorously proposes and implements multilateralism and appreciates the UN's important contributions in promoting world peace and development, Xi said, adding that China will support the UN and its secretary-general's works as always.

Xi stressed that China's development cannot be achieved without a peaceful and stable external environment, vowing China's unswerving efforts in maintaining peace, pushing forward common development, and its participation in multilateral systems.

Xi believed that China's development will strengthen the force for safeguarding world peace.

As a permanent member of the UN Security Council, China will perform its due international duties, vigorously participate in the works of the UN, promote peaceful settlement of international disputes, so as to provide more Chinese wisdom and strength in safeguarding world peace and security and in promoting mankind's common development, he added.

For his part, Ban said the UN highly values China's leading role in dealing with various global challenges, adding that among the five permanent members of the UN Security Council, China dispatches the largest number of peacekeepers.

China has sent navy vessels to escort the shipments of Syrian chemical weapons, actively promoted peaceful solutions of the issues of Syria and South Sudan -- all of which demonstrate that China has made important contributions to safeguarding world peace and security, said Ban.

Meanwhile, Xi briefed his views on the current situation in Northeast Asia, stressing that China is willing to make joint efforts with relevant countries for regional peace and stability.

A correct view of history must be built and the post-World War II international order be consolidated in a bid to realize the good neighborly and friendly relations in the region, said the Chinese leader.

The year 2015 will witness the 70th anniversary of the founding of the UN, as well as the 70th anniversary of the victory of the World Anti-Fascist War and the victory of Chinese people's Anti-Japanese War.

Xi wished that the UN will promote international efforts to hold activities to commemorate the anniversaries.

Ban expressed the hope that Northeast Asia can maintain stability and prosperity, saying the UN is willing to work together with different countries to jointly bring forward the world's peace and development cause.

The two sides also exchanged views on the Syrian crisis and the situation on the Korean Peninsula, as well as climate change. Xi expounded China's stands on those issues.

Xi arrived here on Thursday. The three-day visit is his first foreign trip this year.

Sochi Olympics opens on Friday. Nearly 3,000 athletes from 87 countries and regions will compete for 98 gold medals in 15 disciplines across seven sports.