Presidents Xi Jinping and Joe Biden opened key talks on the Indonesian resort of Bali on Monday afternoon aimed at boosting China-US ties.

The meeting was held ahead of the start of the G20 summit on Tuesday which both leaders are attending.

The pair opened their meeting with a handshake.

In his opening remarks before the talks began, Xi said the two leaders must find the "right direction" for China-US relations.

"As the heads of state of two big countries, China and the US, we must take a good leadership for our bilateral relationship," Xi said.

"We must find the right direction for our future relations. We must help to boost the bilateral relationship between China and the US.

"Politicians must think thoroughly about not only the development directions of our own countries, but also our relationships with the other countries in the world."

Xi added that he hoped the pair would “elevate the relationship” and that he was prepared to have a “candid and in-depth exchange of views” with Biden.

The US president, for his part, said both leaders have the responsibility to show the two countries can manage their differences and find areas of cooperation.

This is the first face-to-face meeting between the two leaders since Biden took office nearly two years ago. (RTHK and agencies)