Defence chief Liang Guanglie in talks with US Navy boss

Defence Minister General Liang Guanglie said yesterday that China's military build-up poses no threat to the world and called for closer military co-operation with Washington as he had talks with US Navy Secretary Ray Mabus.

The talks, in which both sides discussed maritime security and Washington's move to bolster its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, came on the heels of Beijing's leadership change and successful landing tests on the country's first aircraft carrier.

The sensitive timing of the talks indicated that both militaries wanted to cement bilateral ties, which have been strained by Washington's involvement in territorial disputes between the mainland and its neighbours.

Some in the region have expressed concern about Beijing's double-digit increases in defence spending. "The Chinese military must develop, but there's no 'worry' or 'fear' as the outside world says," Liang said on the sidelines of the meeting.

Beijing has expressed frustrations over Washington's "pivot" to Asia, saying the strategy would create a disturbance in the region.

Beijing has also told Washington not to get involved in territorial disputes between China and its neighbours. However, Liang told Mabus that a "new type of military ties between two big nations" should be established, according to a report by Xinhua.

"The two militaries should seek co-operation in areas that [they] have common interest, but contain areas that have disputes and conflicts," he said.