President Hu Jintao has had what both sides are calling a "positive and constructive" meeting with US President Barack Obama in Washington.

Chinese President Hu Jintao (L) meets with U.S. President Barack Obama in Washington April 12, 2010. President Hu Jintao arrived in Washington on Monday to attend the Nuclear Security Summit slated for April 12-13. [Xinhua]

The two leaders met on the sidelines of the 47-nation Nuclear Security Summit on Monday afternoon.

They exchanged views on China-US relations and major global and regional issues of shared interest. The two sides both believe that a good China-US relationship serves the common interests of both countries and contributes to world peace, stability and prosperity.

They say it is important to work together to increase dialogue, enhance trust, expand cooperation and continue to move relations forward.

The spokesman of the Chinese delegation, Ma Zhaoxu, described the presidents' meeting as candid and cordial. He said they addressed economic and trade relations.

Chinese delegation spokesman Ma Zhaoxu said, "Hu said the sound and stable development of China-US economic and trade ties is good for China, for the United States and for the world economic development. China and the United States should properly solve their economic and trade rifts through consultations on an equal footing and jointly uphold the larger interests of China-US economic cooperation and trade."

As for Iran's nuclear issue, Hu Jintao said China and the US share the same overall goal. China hopes that various parties will continue to step up diplomatic efforts, stressing resolution through dialogue and negotiation.

Hu Jintao also met Japanese Prime Minister Yukio Hatoyama and his Ukrainian counterpart, Viktor Yanukovych.