President Xi Jinping and his American counterpart Barack Obama are preparing to meet for the first time after the leadership transition in both countries. The Foreign Ministry says the June 7th to 8th summit in the US state of California will chart the course of the future development of China-U.S. relations. Hou Na reports from the Ministry briefing.

High level exchanges have been frequent between China and the United States during the past months.

President Xi Jinping met with US National Security Advisor Thomas Donilon in Beijing on Monday, paving the way for the upcoming meeting between President Xi and US President Barack Obama.

Zheng Zeguang, Assistant to Minister, Chinese Foreign Ministry, said, "Sino-US relations is at a crucial stage now. The meeting between the two leaders will boost the long-term, sound and steady development of China-U.S. relations, and promote the peace, stability and prosperity in the region and the world."

Analysts say strategic communication will be a priority.

It could be a chance for the two leaders to shape future bilateral ties in ways that are different from previous patterns.

But the pressing need, is for the two sides to enhance their mutual trust.

"Faced with a new international environment, China and the US have agreed to make joint efforts in building a cooperative partnership and exploring ways to develop a new type of relationship between big powers." Zheng said.

During his visit to the US as China's vice president in February last year, Xi said the vast Pacific region has enough space for the development of both China and the US, which should engage each other in a positive way.

This upcoming meeting expects to see Xi and Obama communicate and coordinate with each other over political, economic and security matters in the Asia-Pacific region.