Sino-US naval hotline urged to tackle conflict risk

US Pacific Commander Samuel Locklear has called on Beijing and Washington to improve communications through a naval hotline to defuse potential conflict.

Observers said on Friday the move is an attempt to deepen military relations between the United States and China. However, to achieve this the US should abandon its frequent maritime and air surveillance and reconnaissance activities against China, which have only led to distrust, the observers said.

Locklear said at a Pentagon news briefing that he wants a hotline to officers from the People's Liberation Army in case there is a crisis in the region.