China and US military generals hold talks

General Liu Zhenli, chief of staff of the Central Military Commission's Joint Staff Department, spoke with his United States counterpart, General Charles Brown, Jr., chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, via a video link on Thursday, according to a news release from China's Ministry of National Defense.

Liu said that during the San Francisco meeting, the two nations' heads of state reached important consensus on resuming communication and exchanges between the two militaries. The armed forces of both sides should carry out exchanges and cooperation on the basis of equality and respect and work together to help stabilize and improve bilateral relations.

The Chinese general said that to develop sound, stable and sustainable military-to-military relations, an important prerequisite is that the US side must have a correct understanding of China and should earnestly respect China's core interests and major concerns. He added that major efforts should be done to advance practical cooperation and enhance mutual understanding.

Liu stressed that the Taiwan question is purely China's internal affair, which brooks no external interference, and the Chinese military will resolutely defend national sovereignty and territorial integrity.

He also said that the US side should respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, be cautious with words and deeds, and take concrete actions to safeguard regional peace and stability as well as the overall soundness of China-US relations.

They also discussed other topics, which the release did not elaborate on.

This was the first time the two generals have spoken since Brown was appointed chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff.