Chinese, U.S. military leaders vow to further cooperation

WASHINGTON, Oct. 27 (Xinhua) -- Visiting Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou and U.S. Secretary of Defense Robert Gates agreed here Tuesday to further the bilateral military relationship and cooperation in a stable and healthy way.

During their meeting at the Pentagon, Xu told Gates that through joint efforts of both sides, a positive momentum has been maintained in the development of relations between the two great nations.

In April, Chinese President Hu Jintao and his U.S. counterpart Barack Obama reached an important consensus at their meeting in London to jointly build a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship between the two nations for the 21st century, ushering in a new phase in their bilateral relations, he noted.

They met again in New York in September, and fully endorsed the current direction of the development of China-U.S. relations, Xu said.

A sound China-U.S. relationship, one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world, not only conforms to the fundamental interests of the two peoples, but is also conducive to peace, stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large, said the Chinese general.

The two countries, in the face of the complicated and fast-changing international situation, share broader common interests, and their relationship is becoming increasingly important in terms of strategic significance and global influence with a broad prospect for further growth.

Xu said China is ready to work with the U.S. side to expand exchanges and further cooperation so as to push forward the bilateral relationship in a healthy and stable way.