During the two meetings, Guo stressed that both the Chinese people and China's military attach great importance to the Taiwan issue.

He expressed the hope that the US side will honour its commitment to opposing "Taiwan independence" and not send wrong signals to Taiwan's secessionists.

During the meetings, the US side said Washington will not change its stance on the one-China policy and is opposed to attempts by Taiwan authorities to unilaterally change the status quo.

Wang Yusheng, an expert on international relations, said Guo's visit signals a major step towards establishing a comprehensive military relationship.

Su Hao, a military researcher at China Foreign Affairs University, said Sino-US military ties have come back to normal after it was cut in 2001, when a Chinese fighter jet was hit by a US spy plane over the South China Sea.

"The complicated international situation demands that major powers to work out an efficient military co-ordination mechanism," Su said. "The rule apparently applies to China and the United States."

He said Guo's tour reflects China's active and friendly attitudes towards the United States.

On Tuesday evening, General Peter Pace, chairman of the US Joint Chief of Staff, hosted a dinner for Guo.

On Monday, he made a stopover in San Diego, where he visited the US aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and the Third US Navy Fleet.

He was also scheduled to make a visit to the US Military Academy in West Point, New York, today.

Highlights in bilateral defence relations

November 2003: Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, visited the United States.

July 2004: Admiral Thomas Fargo, chief of US Pacific Command, visited China for three days.

October 2004: Liang Guanglie, chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army, visited the United States. It was a return visit to US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Richard Myers, who had visited Beijing in January.

October 2005: US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld visited Beijing for talks with President Hu Jintao. This was Rumsfeld's first visit to China since he took the post in January 2001.

May 2006: Admiral William Fallon, commander of the US Pacific Command, visited Beijing. He invited China to observe a large-scale US military exercise in June in the Pacific off Guam. It was the first time the US had invited Chinese observers to its drills.