Top leaders discuss importance of maintaining US China ties

WASHINGTON: Reaffirming their shared interest in strengthening cooperation in several areas, top leaders of the US and China have discussed the importance of maintaining the "positive momentum" that the two countries have developed in their military-to-military relationship, the Pentagon said.

US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel and Chinese State Councillor Yang Jiechi discussed this during their meeting yesterday.

"The two leaders discussed the importance of maintaining the positive momentum that has developed in the US-China military-to-military relationship," Pentagon Press Secretary Rear Admiral John Kirby said.

"They also reaffirmed their shared interest in strengthening cooperation on regional and global challenges, and noted the potential for greater cooperation in several areas, to include providing humanitarian assistance and disaster relief when crises arises, and containing the spread of Ebola in West Africa," Kirby said.

Both sides highlighted the importance of US President Barack Obama's trip to Beijing in November and expressed a shared desire that the trip would be a success, the Pentagon spokesperson said.