President Xi Jinping (R) talks with US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in Beijing on Wednesday. [Photo/Xinhua]

In the right direction

Later on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping held talks with Hagel.

Xi stressed the importance of frequent high-level exchanges between Beijing and Washington recently and that they are leading the Sino-US relationship in the right direction.

Xi urged both sides to boost cooperation in various fields based on the principle of "no conflict, no confrontation".

Both countries should manage differences and sensitive issues to establish a new model of major-country relations between China and the US and further develop military ties, Xi told Hagel.

The itinerary Beijing prepared for Hagel reflected the great importance China attaches to the Sino-US relationship, Xi said.

Shortly after his arrival in China on Monday, Hagel visited the Liaoning aircraft carrier, becoming the first foreign visitor to board the ship. He also visited two military schools and met a number of senior officials.

However, the Pentagon chief's visit coincided with the passing of a bill by the US House of Representatives on Monday authorizing the sale of four naval vessels to Taiwan, a constant thorn in the Sino-US relationship.

The bill seriously disrupted the healthy development of Sino-US military ties and cross-Straits relations, Geng Yansheng, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said on Wednesday.

"We urge the US to fully recognize the extreme sensitivity of the bill, respect China's major concerns and stop arms sales to Taiwan as well as making any remarks damaging Sino-US and cross-Straits relations," he said.

Zhao Xiaozhuo, deputy director of the Center for China-America Defense Relations of the Academy of Military Science, said Beijing achieved its goal by helping Hagel to better understand the Chinese military, from the leaders to the soldiers.

No single visit can change any side's policies overnight, but it has boosted mutual understanding, he said.

Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn and zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn.