11:52 GMT, October 23, 2009 BEIJING | China called for candid dialogue to strengthen mutual understanding and broaden common interests and cooperation in China-U.S. military relations, said a Defense Ministry official Thursday, according to China's state-run Xinhua press agency.

"To be honest, our current cooperation is not matchable neither to the international influence of our two countries nor to the role of the two militaries," Qian Lihua, director of the Foreign Affairs Office of the ministry, said in a speech at the 4th China-U.S. Relations Conference.

The situation has been caused by the facts that the two countries have different concerns, and for their common concerns, they have different understandings on and approaches to deal with the problems, Qian said.

Healthy and steady China-U.S. military relations would benefit peace and stability at both regional and international levels, he said.

He believed the only way to solve the problem is to strengthen dialogue and cooperation.

He also called for proper handle of sensitive issues, such as the Taiwan issue, in boosting China-U.S. military relations.

Respecting each other's core interests and security concerns and addressing sensitive issues properly are vital to healthy and sustainable China-U.S. military relations, he said.


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