High-level talks help promote Sino-US military ties

Chinese President Xi Jinping and senior military officials have met with U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis during his three-day visit to China.

During a meeting with Mattis, President Xi said that China and the United States should work to develop their bilateral ties based on the principles of mutual respect and win-win cooperation.

The President said that military relations have been developing momentum in recent years, and form an important part of their bilateral relations.

The President emphasized China's steadfast and clear-cut stance when it comes to the country's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and that any inch of territory passed down from the country's ancestors cannot be given away.

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe holds a welcome ceremony for visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Beijing, June 27, 2018. [Photo: China Plus]

Mattis said that the United States is willing to strengthen communication and cooperation between the two sides to manage risks and avoid conflicts.

"I think right now we are at the point that we have to look at how do we use our military to military engagement in our actions in order to promote trust between two militaries and trust between our two countries."

Xu Qiliang, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, stressed the necessity of enhanced cooperation between the two countries.

"Two presidents reached consensus on the promotion of military exchanges and cooperation. I hope the two militaries can continue to increase mutual trust and cooperation in the future so as to help overall bilateral relations."

Xu Qiliang (right, 4th), vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, meets with visiting U.S. Secretary of Defense James Mattis (left, 4th) in Beijing, June 28, 2018. [Photo: China Plus]

Zhao Xiaozhuo, the deputy director of the Center on China-US Defense Relations at the Academy of Military Science, said there have been fewer bilateral military exchanges during the Trump administration than in previous times.

Zhao said that high-level dialogues such as the one between President Xi and Secretary Mattis are important to building understanding and improving cooperation.

"It helps the two sides defuse doubt, and understand each other's stances and policies. High-level meetings promote both China and the US to move forward bilateral ties, seek common interest and expand cooperation. It is also attributable to the stable relationship since the two countries set up diplomatic relations 40 years ago."

It is the first visit to China by James Mattis since he became Defense Secretary in January last year. He is the first Pentagon chief to visit China since 2014.