BEIJING, Sept. 22 -- Chinese President Xi Jinping called for seeing the larger picture in approaching China-U.S. relations rather than just focusing on differences.

In a written interview with Wall Street Journal, Xi said that it is natural for China and the U.S. to have some differences, even family members don't always see eye to eye with each other.

"Our two countries should understand and respect each other, expand common ground and properly handle differences, and respect and accommodate each other's core interests and major concerns," Xi said.

Xi called for joint efforts to seek a solution on issues that can be resolved and managing issues that cannot be resolved for the time being in a constructive way and make sure that they are not exacerbated or escalated.

China and the United States account for one third of the world economy, one fourth of the global population, and one fifth of global trade.

"If two big countries like ours do not cooperate with each other, just imagine what will happen to the world," Xi said, adding that both history and reality show that China and the United States stand to gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation.

Xi and U.S. President Obama agreed to jointly build a new model of major-country relationship between China and the United States featuring non-conflict or confrontation, mutual respect and win-win cooperation when they met at the Annenberg Estate, California in the summer of 2013.

Since then, the two countries' exchanges and cooperation across the board have kept deepening and been upgraded. "We maintain close and effective dialogue and cooperation on almost all major international and regional issues and global challenges," Xi said.

Facts have shown that the interests of China and the U.S. have grown increasingly intertwined. The growth of China-U.S. relationship has not only benefited the two peoples, but also enhanced peace, stability, and development in the Asia-Pacific and beyond.

On the South China Sea issue, Xi said the Nansha Islands have been China's territory since ancient times, and China's development and maintenance of facilities there is to improve the working and living conditions of the Chinese personnel stationed there and does not impact on or target any other country.

"It should not be over-interpreted," Xi said, adding that those facilities also provide international public goods and services, and better uphold navigation freedom and safety in the South China Sea.

On cybersecurity. Xi said China is also a victim of hacking and China and the United States share common concerns on cybersecurity.

"We are ready to strengthen our cooperation with the U.S. side on this issue," Xi said.

Xi expressed optimism for his upcoming meeting with Obama to jointly chart the course for growing China-U.S. relations.

"I am sure that this visit will send a positive message to the international community that China and the United States will strengthen cooperation and jointly meet global challenges," Xi said.