UNITED NATIONS, Jan. 16 (Xinhua) -- UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres said Tuesday the relationship between the United States and China are "vitally important."

Answering a question about the relations between the two countries at a press conference, Guterres said that it is a "welcome development" that China has rising influence in international affairs.

With the United States being the traditional big power, "it's absolutely vital that these two countries have a constructive, positive relationship," he added.

The UN chief noted that it is vital the United States and Russia, Russia and China and other big powers have "vital relationships."

He also highlighted climate change, inequality and nationalism as his concerns.