BEIJING - Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday met with Chinese and US governors, calling for deeper regional cooperation between the two countries.

Relations between China and the United States are currently at "an important phase that connects the past and the future", Xi told the governors attending the second China-US governors' forum.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (front, C) poses for a group photo with Chinese and US governors at the the second China-US governors' forum in Beijing, capital of China, April 15, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

Xi recalled his latest telephone discussion with US President Barack Obama, saying they agreed on the direction for building a bilateral cooperative partnership and developing a new type of relations between big powers.

Xi said China-US cooperation will benefit the two nations and contribute to world peace, stability and common development.

Xi hailed the China-US governors' forum as an important mechanism for regional cooperation.

China and the US are economically complementary and see robust people-to-people exchanges, Xi said, adding that these areas "inject a vitality into regional cooperation".

Xi wished the forum, which took place from Monday to Tuesday in Beijing and Tianjin, great success and called on governors of both countries to make the most of the forum and promote bilateral relations.

Xi encouraged Chinese provinces and US states to work more closely in traditional sectors like agriculture and advance cooperation in new areas such as energy conservation, environmental protection, new energy, urban planning and infrastructure.

US governors present at the meeting were Iowa Governor Terry Branstad, Wisconsin Governor Scott Walker and Virginia Governor Robert McDonnell.

They said they were glad to attend the forum and discuss deepening cooperation with Chinese provincial leaders.

They called for stronger cooperation in agriculture, trade and economy,culture and education.

On the Chinese side, leaders from Tianjin Municipality, Hebei province, Heilongjiang province, Fujian province and Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region attended the forum.

The China-US governors' forum was launched in 2011. The first one was held last year in the US.