Shanghai: Visiting US President Barack Obama said here on Monday that Washington and Beijing should jointly help reduce conflicts around the world.

"All of us have obligations to promote peace in the world, but it's not easy to do", Obama told an audience of more than 500 local youths, many of whom students from Fudan University and Tongji University.

He made the remarks when asked what the US and China can do to reduce regional tensions.

"I believe both US and China can help reduce conflicts around the world," he said.

He also noted that both countries can seek to reduce violence between peoples through dialogue and exchange of ideas between cultures.

The ongoing event attracted more than 100 reporters, the large majority of whom from the US and the rest from China.

The meeting on the fourth floor of the Shanghai Science and Technology Museum was scheduled to last for 75 minutes, with Obama speaking for 15 minutes and the an hour-long question and answer session.

Before Obama's speech, Jon Huntsman, US ambassador to China said, "the timing could not be better" for increasing bilateral relations at the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations ties.

Obama met local leaders in the morning. He arrived at Shanghai Pudong International Airport just after 11 pm last night.

The 48-year-old, the first US president to visit China within the first year of taking office, will fly to Beijing immediately after meeting the youths.

He is expected to arrive in the nation's capital at around 4:30 pm. President Hu Jintao will host a state dinner for Obama at the Diaoyutai State Guesthouse in the evening.

"The main purpose of my trip is to deepen my understanding of China and its vision of the future," Obama said.