Chinese FM, Hagel applaud steady improvement of China-US military ties

Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi (R) shakes hands with US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel at the Pentagon in Washington D.C., the United States, Sept. 20, 2013. [Photo/Xinhua]

WASHINGTON - Visiting Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi and US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Friday hailed the recent progress made in improving the China-US military relations, vowing to keep promoting mutual military exchanges and strategic trust.

During his talks with Hagel at the Pentagon, Wang described the recent steady improvement in the bilateral military ties as a "bright spot" in the China-US relations.

Noting the military relationship as an important part of the overall China-US relations, Wang said the two sides should strive to enhance military mutual trust to help solidify the basis for cementing China-US strategic trust.

He called for concrete actions by both countries to build a new type of military-to-military relationship that is compatible with the new model of major-country relations, as agreed by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his US counterpart Barack Obama at their June summit at the Annenberg Estate in California.

For his part, Hagel said he was pleased to see the recent positive momentum emerging in the US-China military ties. He also expressed the hope for further promoting exchanges, boosting mutual trust and enhancing military cooperation with the Chinese military.

As a result of the successful Xi-Obama summit, the two militaries have recently hastened the pace of military exchanges, consultations and joint exercises.

In August, Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan paid his first official visit to the US, during which he held fruitful talks with Hagel at the Pentagon on bilateral military ties, international and regional security issues, and other issues of mutual concern.

Chang invited Hagel for an official visit to China in 2014, while Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, offered to host his Chinese counterpart, Fang Fenghui, next year.

In late August, the Chinese and U.S navies conducted the second counter-piracy drill in the Gulf of Aden. In early September, three Chinese military ships visited Hawaii to hold a search-and-rescue exercise with the US Navy.

At the US invitation, the Chinese navy will join the US-led RIM of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) for the first time next year.