China willing to promote military ties with US: officer

China is willing to work with the United States to properly handle their differences and promote stable and sound development of military-to-military ties, says a senior Chinese military officer.

Cai Yingting, a deputy chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army, made the remarks Thursday while meeting with U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense Ashton Carter at Pentagon.

Cai, who arrived in the United States Monday for a visit, said the two nations have made key and positive progress in developing bilateral relations since the Obama administration came to power in 2009.

The top leaders of the two countries have reached important consensus to establish a new type of big power relations, he said, adding that the two sides should be committed to the principle of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation while developing inter-military ties.

Saying the U.S. strategy in the Asia-Pacific region is not aimed at containing China, Carter voiced his country's hope that China continues to be its cooperation partner.

He called on the two sides to work together to find a way to ensure their development and prosperity through cooperation.

Also on Thursday, Cai met with Admiral James Winnefeld, vice chairman of the joint chiefs of staff, and General Lloyd Austin III, the U.S. Army's vice chief of staff.

During his talks with Winnefeld, Cai said the two countries should prevent their military relations from suffering major setbacks.

Winnefeld said that, as conflicts and frictions between big powers are inevitable, it is important for both sides to enhance dialogues, step up strategic mutual trust and avert misjudgment.

While meeting with Austin, Cai proposed that the two countries should promote mutual trust and cooperation between their armed forces, and properly tackle the obstacles that are undermining healthy and stable development of inter-military ties.

Austin said it is important to establish a long-term and fruitful inter-military relationship between the United States and China, which will benefit both sides.