A Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman confirmed Thursday that China had started preparations for Chinese President Hu Jintao's visit to the United States.

"China and the United States have maintained close communication on matters concerning the visit," spokesman Ma Zhaoxu told a regular press conference.

However, he did not say when Hu will make the visit.

Ma said he believed that the visit would significantly influence China-U.S. relations, and both China and the United States were expecting the visit to be successful in making progress on a positive, cooperative and comprehensive China-U.S. relationship in the 21st Century.

Hu met with U.S. President Barack Obama on the sidelines of the G20 summit in Toronto in June. During the meeting, Hu accepted Obama's invitation to visit the United States.