Senior military official meets U.S. national security advisor

Xu Caihou, vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, met Wednesday with U.S. national security advisor Thomas Donilon and exchanged views on the relationship between the two militaries as well as the two nations and other major issues of mutual concern.

During their meeting, Xu said the military-to-military relationship is an important component of the ties between China and the United States.

"The establishment of a military-to-military relationship proportionate to the bilateral ties not only serves the common interests of China and the United States, but also is the shared responsibility of the defense sectors and armed forces of the two countries," said the Chinese general.

Xu said the two sides should strengthen their strategic communication and mutual trust, and boost pragmatic exchanges and cooperation based on respect, mutual trust, equality and reciprocity.

"(The two sides should) substantially take care of each other's core interests and major concerns, and overcome the difficulties and barriers affecting the development of the military ties in pursuit of virtuous interactions in the Asia-Pacific region featuring positiveness rather than negativeness, and cooperation rather than confrontation, to advance the military-to-military ties in a healthy and stable way," said the vice chairman.

Echoing Xu's remarks, Donilon said the U.S. side attaches great importance to the military ties and looks forward to more dialogues and enhanced mutual trust with China.

The visiting national security advisor said the United States' strategic goal in the Asia-Pacific region is to promote regional stability and prosperity.

The United States is ready to increase exchanges and cooperation with China to maintain regional security and stability, Donilon said.