The military exchanges between the two countries have been strengthening in recent years, Keating said in a meeting with Guo Boxiong, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission of China.

    The United States will carry out military exchanges and cooperation with China on various level and in various fields, Keating said.

    Guo said both China and the United States shoulder responsibilities of safeguarding world peace and stability and promoting common development.

    The two countries are both stake holders and constructive partners who share strategic interests, and China attaches great importance to China-U.S. relations, Guo said.

    He said there are still rooms to develop military relations between the two countries, and the two sides should further expand exchanges and cooperation in an effort to push the military relations to a new height.

    Guo also voiced China's position on the issue of Taiwan in the meeting. Keating responded that the United States will unswervingly be committed to the peace across the Taiwan Strait.

    Keating also met with Zhang Qinsheng, Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army and Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui on Friday.

    Keating arrived here Thursday for his first China visit since taking office in March. The five-day tour will also take him to Nanjing, capital of east China's Jiangsu Province, where he will visit military institutions and bases.