Former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson speaks during an exclusive interview with Xinhua in Chicago, Sept. 17, 2015. (Xinhua/He Xianfeng)

　　by Xinhua Writers Xu Jing, He Xianfeng

　　CHICAGO, Sept. 18 (Xinhua) -- A sound relationship between the United States and China can bring tangible benefits for the two countries and the whole world, former U.S. Treasury Secretary Henry Paulson has said.

　　"U.S.-China relations are our most important bilateral relationship because so many of the world's major challenges are going to be easier to solve if we work together, and much more difficult if we don't," Paulson told Xinhua in an exclusive interview on Thursday.

　　The two countries could focus their cooperation in driving global economic growth, fighting terrorism, and dealing with climate change, he said.

　　On Chinese President Xi Jinping's upcoming visit to the United States next week, he said it is important as U.S.-China relations are "under increasing stress today," adding that both Xi and U.S. President Barack Obama understand the importance of bilateral ties.

　　"So it's going to be very important that President Xi speaks to the American people about his vision for China and for U.S.-China relations," Paulson said.

　　"It's going to be very important that the two presidents talk very frankly about the differences, but find common ground where they have so much common ground," Paulson noted.