Mr Biden is visiting China at the invitation of his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping
Speaking on the first day of an official visit to China, Mr
Biden said a close relationship with China was of the "utmost
importance".
The trip comes amid mounting tension between the two over America's debt.
China is the US government's biggest foreign creditor and has been critical of America's "addiction to debt".
China's state-run media has been scathing over the recent
political showdown in the US over how to increase the debt ceiling and
avert a financial default.
China holds $1tn (£608bn) of US debt, and has called on the country to do more to reduce its budget deficit.
The US also suffered a historic credit rating downgrade.
Strengthening ties
Following a welcoming ceremony in Beijing's Great Hall of the
People, Mr Biden said: "I am absolutely confident that the economic
stability of the world rests in no small part on co-operation between
the United States and China."
Mr Xi echoed this sentiment, however, the BBC's Michael
Bristow in Beijing says there has been little talk about how China's own
economic problems have left it exposed to changes in the value of the
dollar.
Chinese state media said the debt crisis and the value of
China's currency would be the main focus of talks. Mr Xi was also
expected to underline Chinese opposition to plans to sell US fighter
jets to Taiwan.
Mr Biden is visiting China at the invitation of Mr Xi, as the
Obama administration seeks to strengthen ties with the next generation
of Chinese leaders.
Mr Xi is widely expected to take over the chairmanship of the
Chinese Communist Party in 2012 and to be formally anointed as
president in March 2013.
This visit, which was agreed in January, will pave the way for Mr Xi to visit Washington later in the year.
Besides meetings in Beijing, Mr Xi will accompany Mr Biden on
a visit to Sichuan province, which was badly hit by an earthquake in
2008.
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