Article Posted on : - Apr 12, 2011

A file photo.

BEIJING (PTI): China and the United States Monday held a key dialogue here to boost defence ties and prepare for a crucial visit of the Chinese Army chief to Washington next month.

China and the US reviewed the relationship between the two militaries at the seventh working level meeting co-chaired by Qian Lihua, director of the Foreign Affairs Office with the National Defence Ministry and his US counterpart Michael Schiffer, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defence for East Asia.

They compared notes on the guidelines of military relations and discussed how to cultivate mutual trust and maritime security issues.

The two sides also discussed the preparation for the upcoming visit of Chen Bingde, chief of staff at the People's Liberation Army, to Washington.

International and regional security issues of common concern were also discussed, state-run Xinhua news agency quoted an official statement as saying.

Both sides agreed to maintain dialogue and communication at all military levels and to strengthen exchanges and cooperation in non-traditional security sectors.

They also confirmed this year's exchange plan between the two armed forces, the statement said.

China underlined that need for the US to respect its core interests and major concerns, as well as halt weapon sales to Taiwan and military surveillance operations in China's exclusive economic zone.

US officials said sustainable and reliable military-to-military relations play an important role in bilateral ties, adding that the two militaries should conduct an uninterrupted dialogue to boost mutual trust and avoid miscommunications.

The US attaches great importance to Chen's visit, the statement said.

The working level meeting mechanism between the two countries' defence ministries was established in 2005. It is a key platform for the two countries to exchange opinions on issues concerning military relations.