Former Chinese President Jiang Zemin and former US secretary of state Henry Kissinger said they are confident with the future of China and Sino-US relations under the leadership of Xi Jinping, according to a statement released by the Foreign Ministry on Monday.

They made the remarks during a “family-like” meeting, which touched upon “very important” issues, in Shanghai on July 3, the ministry quoted sources as saying.

Calling Xi a “capable and wise” leader, Jiang said: “Although China currently has to overcome many difficulties, I am confident with the new leadership of China.”

“My personal experience also shows although China and the United Sates still have some differences, we can solve problems as long as leaders from both sides communicate with each other sincerely,” Jiang said in a rare appearance.

Kissinger, who witnessed the normalization as well as ups and downs of the Sino-US relations since 1972, said his several meetings with Xi had left him a deep impression of strong will and courage, which would help China's new leadership carry out a number of reforms.

US-Sino relations now are in a critical historical stage, and if the two countries fight with each other the whole world would split, while if they sincerely cooperate both sides and the world would benefit, said Kissinger.

Since taking office in March, Xi has embarked upon rigorous reforms ranging from the economy to the Communist Party of China. He also had an unusual laid-back meeting with US President Barack Obama in California in June, strengthening bilateral consensus about building a new type of relations.

Kissinger, accompanied by his wife, daughter-in-law and grandchildren, said he wanted to show his family the great achievements that China and US-Sino relations have made in one generation.

US-Sino relations are making progress, and leaders from both sides share the same view that problems should not affect relations, he said.