China, US vow to enhance Asia-Pacific military ties

BEIJING - Chinese and US defense authorities met in Beijing on Monday, vowing to increase strategic mutual trust and strengthen relations in the Asia-Pacific region.

The consultation was co-chaired by Wang Guanzhong, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and US Under Secretary of Defense for Policy James Miller.

Wang said Chinese President Xi Jinping and US President Barack Obama have reached an important consensus on building a new type of relationship between major powers.

The consensus should be reflected in bilateral military and security relations, said Wang.

Wang recalled Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan's US visit in August, noting that Chang's proposal on building a new type of military relationship between the countries has received a positive response from US Secretary of Defence Chuck Hagel.

"As the head of the most important dialogue mechanism between the two defense ministries, we have a responsibility to use the meeting to carry out the consensus reached by leaders of the two countries as well as the two defense ministries," Wang told Miller.

Miller said developing a substantial relationship and strengthened communication are conducive to improving mutual trust and reducing misunderstandings between the two armed forces.

Miller said the US holds a positive attitude toward enhanced relations between forces in the Asia-Pacific region and welcomes President Xi's proposals on deepening military mutual trust.

The US is ready to discuss with China the establishment of a mutual reporting mechanism on major military operations and a code of conduct on naval and air military security, Miller said.

The two sides also exchanged views on issues concerning Taiwan, the Diaoyu Islands, the South China Sea, the Korean Peninsula, nuclear and cyber security, and outer space and missile defense.