Chinese President Xi Jinping met Thursday with Bob Iger, vice chair of US-China Business Council (USCBC) and chairman and chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Company.

Chinese President Xi Jinping (R) meets with Bob Iger, vice chair of U.S.-China Business Council and chairman and chief executive officer of the Walt Disney Company, in Beijing, capital of China, May 5, 2016. [Xinhua]?

There are extensive areas for China and the United States to cooperate, Xi said, calling on both sides to view the big picture, maintain and expand mutual interests and deepen practical cooperation.

Xi applauded the USCBC and Walt Disney Company for their efforts to boost bilateral relations with China.

China is striving to advance economic structural reform and foster a more open economy, Xi said. "China will provide convenience for foreign businesses, institutions and individuals to have exchanges and cooperation with China."

Xi said economic cooperation is an important component of China-U.S. relations and that China and the United States, with strong economic complementarity, enjoy great potential for cooperation.

"China is in favor of reaching a bilateral investment treaty through negotiations at an early date," Xi said.

Acknowledging the importance of U.S.-China cooperation, particularly in trade, Iger said the the U.S. supports an early investment treaty through negotiations, which will help businesses in both countries to expand cooperation on the basis of mutual respect and benefit.

Disney attaches great importance to promoting the culture exchanges between the U.S. and China. The Shanghai Disney Resort, which will open soon, will work to offer safe, quality and pleasant services to the Chinese visitors, Iger said.

Shanghai Disney Resort, Disney's first theme park on the Chinese mainland, is located in Shanghai's premier development zone of Pudong and is expected to open on June 16.