BEIJING (AFP) - Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama will hold a bilateral meeting on the sidelines of the Nuclear Security Summit (NSS) in the Netherlands next week, China's foreign ministry said on Monday.

The NSS, first held in 2010 in Washington and again in Seoul in 2012, is to take place in The Hague next Monday and Tuesday. A theme of this year's meeting is preventing nuclear terrorism, according to the NSS website.

Chinese vice foreign minister Li Baodong told reporters that Beijing and Washington had agreed to hold the bilateral meeting, their first this year, but did not give specifics on timing or subjects.

"It is highly significant and also very important for the future development of China-US relations," he said.

The two leaders will "exchange views on bilateral relations and issues of common interest", Mr Li added.

"China is ready to work with the United States to ensure positive outcomes of the security summit and the bilateral meeting. and inject new impetus to China-US relations."