Beijing: Top military officials of China
and US Monday discussed a host of contentious issues like the increasing American presence in South China Sea, where Beijing has maritime dispute with several ASEAN countries.
Chen Bingde, Chief of the General Staff of the
Chinese People`s Liberation Army (PLA), held talks with his visiting US counterpart Admiral Mike Mullen.
"We discussed four major topics, including the South
China Sea, the attitude of some US politicians toward China,
cyber security and China`s military development," Chen said
after a close-door meeting with Mullen.
Both sides exchanged views on those issues in a candid
manner, he added.
"It`s fair to say that we found a lot of common ground
while we do have different opinions on certain issues," Chen
said.
Chen urged the two sides to implement the consensus
reached by their heads of state to push forward the
development of bilateral military relations.
Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff,
arrived in Beijing Saturday night for a four-day visit to
China.
A welcoming ceremony was held earlier today ahead of his talks with Chen.
Mullen is making the visit at the invitation of Chen,
as a reciprocal visit for Chen`s trip in May to the US.
PTI
