Beijing, March 24 (IANS): Chinese President Xi Jinping will meet his US counterpart Barack Obama on the sidelines of the fourth Nuclear Security Summit in Washington next week, a senior official said on Thursday.

"It will be the first meeting between the two heads of state this year. It will be of great significance in advancing the bilateral relationship in a sustained and stable way," Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Li Baodong said at a briefing on Xi's upcoming overseas trip, Xinhua news agency reported.

Li said Xi will also meet with other state leaders on the sidelines of the nuclear security summit to exchange views on bilateral relations as well as international and regional issues of common concern.

Invited by Obama, Xi will attend the fourth Nuclear Security Summit to be held in Washington from March 31 to April 1.

Prior to that, Xi will make a state visit to the Czech Republic from March 28-30 at the invitation of President Milos Zeman.