Washington, Rabi'I 23, 1433, Feb 15, 2012, SPA - President Barack Obama assured China’s Vice President Xi Jinping that the United States welcomes Beijing’s rise in the world, saying Tuesday that strong cooperation between the two countries is good for the rest of the world. Obama offered a warm welcome to Chinese Vice President. “We welcome China’s peaceful rise,” Obama said as the two men sat in the Oval Office. “We believe that a strong and prosperous China is one that can help to bring stability and prosperity to the region and to the world.” Obama said he looks forward to future cooperation. Xi told Obama he wants to build on the past relationship between Obama and Chinese President Hu Jintao and “deepen the friendship” between the people of the two countries. “I hope to engage with a broad cross-section of American society during my current visit so as to deepen mutual understanding, expand consensus, strengthen cooperation and deepen the friendship between the Chinese and American people,” Xi said, a reference to an itinerary that includes stops in Iowa and California. --SPA 11:08 LOCAL TIME 08:08 GMT www.spa.gov.sa/970485