The United States and China must be "honest and direct" about their future ties, which will help define the 21st century for the whole world, US Vice President Joe Biden said Tuesday.

Welcoming a top delegation of Chinese officials for annual strategic and economic talks, Biden said Beijing must be at the table in all important global negotiations and, while he did not gloss over differences, he praised China for being "a partner" on many issues from nuclear negotiations to climate change.