BEIJING, Dec. 7 (Xinhua) -- Vice President Xi Jinping has urged the United States to "curb its tendency of politicizing economic issues" in order to improve the environment for bilateral trade and economic cooperation.

Xi made the remark during a Tuesday meeting with Henry Paulson, the former Treasury Secretary of the United States, according to a press release from Xi's office issued on Wednesday.

"History has proved that the nature of Sino-U.S. relations are mutually beneficial and win-win, along with more common interests and need for cooperation than differences," Xi said.

China will work with the U.S. to enhance dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation, respect each other's core interests and concerns, properly handle sensitive issues and effectively manage differences so as to push for the sound and steady development of bilateral ties, Xi said.

"It's vital for China, the United States and the world at large under the current economic context to strengthen reciprocal and mutually beneficial Sino-U.S. economic and trade ties," he said.

Xi suggested that both countries should consolidate the coordination of their macroeconomic policies and tap their potential in trade and investment.

Xi urged the United States to ease restrictions on high-tech exports to China, facilitate and provide assistance for Chinese companies that wish to invest in the United States.

Paulson said the U.S. and China can only overcome the difficulties facing them and realize common prosperity by enhancing cooperation..

U.S.-China cooperation should be based on the principle of mutual respect, he was cited as saying, adding that both countries should increase two-way investment and expand their markets in order to fuel the growth of bilateral ties.