Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping addresses a welcoming luncheon hosted by the National Committee on U.S.-China Relations and the U.S.-China Business Council in Washington, the United States, Feb. 15, 2012. (Xinhua/Xie Huanchi)

Visiting Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping on Wednesday urged China and the United States to conduct positive interactions in the Asia-Pacific region.

"As the interests of China and the United States converge more closely in the Asia-Pacific than in anywhere else, this region should naturally become an important area where they engage in positive interactions and pursue mutually beneficial cooperation," Xi said at a luncheon hosted by friendly organizations in the United States.

Xi, who arrived here Monday for a five-day visit, called on both countries to steadily enhance coordination and cooperation in international affairs and on global issues.

"Our world is undergoing complex and profound changes," Xi said. China and the United States should meet challenges together and share responsibilities in international affairs.

"This is what China-U.S. cooperative partnership calls for and what the international community expects from us," he said.

China and the United States should enhance coordination regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula, the Iranian nuclear issue and other hotspot issues through bilateral and multilateral mechanisms, Xi said.

Both countries should increase cooperation on global issues such as climate change, counter-terrorism, cyber security, outer space security, energy and resources, public health, food security and disaster prevention and mitigation, he added.

"We should jointly promote global peace, stability and common development, and make the international system a more equitable, just, inclusive and orderly one," the vice president said.

He said China welcomes a constructive role by the United States in promoting peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.

"At the same time, we hope the United States will respect the interests and concerns of China and other countries in this region," Xi said.