Heeding core interests

Minister of National Defense Chang Wanquan's visit to the United States this week has achieved impressive results, as the two countries have agreed on a number of new steps to boost military relations.

Marking a renewed effort to build trust between the two militaries, Chang and his US counterpart Chuck Hagel agreed to enhance military cooperation, expand defense exchanges and hold more joint exercises during their talks at the Pentagon on Monday.

The Chinese navy, at the invitation of the US, will join the Rim of the Pacific Exercise, the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise, for the first time in 2014.