Xu Caihou (R), vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), meets with former US Secretary of Defense William Perry in Beijing, China, on June 30, 2008. Perry and his delegation was to attend the 8th seminar on Sino-US security.(Xinhua/Pang Xinglei)

China is active in extending relations between Chinese and US armed forces and hopes for their healthy and stable development, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC) Xu Caihou said on Monday.

During talks with visiting former US Secretary of Defense William Perry, Xu said relations between the forces had developed smoothly, with new progress in high-level visits and academic exchanges.

Xu spoke highly of the 8th seminar on Sino-US security attended by Perry and his delegation, saying it served as a platform for the two sides to discuss major security issues.

Xu also briefed Perry on the stance on Taiwan.

The US valued the development of relations between US and Chinese armed forces, said Perry, who served as Secretary of Defense under President Bill Clinton from February 1994 to January1997.

He suggested the two armed forces enhance cooperation on humanitarian operations and peace-keeping.

(Xinhua News Agency July 1, 2008)