A screenshot shows the U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus commenting on Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to the United States while being interviewed by CCTV. [Photo: China.com.cn]

U.S. Ambassador to China Max Baucus is hailing Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming state visit to the United States.

He believes the visit will expand practical cooperation and improve candid communication between the two countries.

"First is the opportunity to more fully expand our cooperative engagement with China. Each passing year there are more and more areas - environment, economic, political. It's a great opportunity. The second opportunity is for more frank discussions between our two countries. It's quite clear to me that we're entering into a new phase in the relationship."

China and the US have been stepping up efforts to forge a new type of major country relationship.

Baucus says both sides should face up differences while engaging in candid cooperation.

"In the meantime, as China grows, the United States and China have to adjust a little differently than in the past. And that's where I think it's really important to be honest and candid with each other because our goals are the same. We want a future for our kids and our grand kids."

Chinese President Xi Jinping will pay a state visit to the United States from Sept. 22 to 25 at the invitation of U.S. President Barack Obama.