BEIJING — Chinese President Xi Jinping said on Monday that strengthening relations with Oman was a shared strategic choice for both countries, as he met His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik in Beijing.

Speaking at the start of their meeting, Xi said bilateral relations stood at a new historical starting point and expressed his readiness to work with His Majesty to advance their strategic partnership.

Xi said closer cooperation should benefit the peoples of both countries and contribute to regional peace, stability and prosperity, according to a media pool report covering the meeting.

The remarks came during His Majesty’s two-day state visit to China, which began on Sunday. It is the first visit by an Omani head of state since the two countries established diplomatic relations in 1978.

The visit comes as Oman and China seek to broaden cooperation and strengthen their longstanding bilateral ties.