BEIJING, July 25 -- President Xi Jinping on Monday called on China and the United States to effectively handle differences and respect each other's core interests.

Xi made the remarks when meeting with U.S. National Security Advisor Susan Rice at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

China-U.S. common interests outweigh their differences, Xi said, noting that both sides needed more mutual trust and cooperation.

The goal of China's development is to benefit its more than 1.3 billion people, Xi said, reiterating that China has no intention to challenge the present international rules and order and it will never seek hegemony.

Xi called on both sides to expand economic, trade and investment cooperation, as well as cooperation in climate change and international and regional affairs to make pragmatic cooperation a"ballast" in China-U.S. ties.

Rice said the United States agreed to work with China to strengthen mutual trust, enhance pragmatic cooperation and manage issues of difference through close communication.

Rice is visiting China from July 24 to 27.