Senior generals of China and the US met in Beijing on Monday to discuss bilateral military relations and issues of common concern.

"Your visit is an important event in the bilateral military exchange program. We place great importance in it," Fang Fenghui, chief of the general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), told Martin Dempsey, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff.

Dempsey recalled his phone discussions with Fang last month, reaffirming his commitment to work together to improve bilateral military ties, the Xinhua News Agency reported.

Yao Yunzhu, a senior researcher with the PLA Academy of Military Science, told news portal CRI Online that this military exchange could be viewed as a practical action to implement the consensus reached between the state heads of the two powers. It also indicates the two militaries' willingness to develop a healthy and positive relationship.

Beijing and Washington have seen frequent high-level exchanges following the central leadership transition in China last month. US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew, acting as President Barack Obama's special envoy, visited China late March, followed by Secretary of State John Kerry earlier this month.

Yao noted that despite the relatively stable relationship between the two militaries, major obstacles still need to be overcome for future development, including US arms sales to Taiwan and reconnaissance in China's surrounding areas and exclusive economic zones.

Recently, the US has been pointing fingers at the Chinese military, which has been accused of conducting a series of hacking activities toward US businesses and other organizations.

Dempsey arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a five-day visit, the first since he took office as the highest-ranking US military officer in 2011.

He paid a short visit to South Korea prior to the arrival in Beijing, having talks with James D. Thurman, commander of US forces in South Korea, and South Korean chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Jung Seung-jo.

The three discussed several issues important to the US-South Korea alliance, but the current situation with North Korea was their central topic, according to the US Department of Defense.

The Chinese foreign ministry said Monday that US Deputy Secretary of State William Burns will visit China on Wednesday and Thursday.

Global Times - Agencies