US Army chief of staff announces regular high-level talks with PLA

China and the United States will establish regular high-level dialogue between their armies to promote better understanding and avoid possible conflict, US army chief of staff General Raymond Odierno said yesterday.

Such communication was crucial because any mishap between them could significantly affect stability in the Asia-Pacific region, Odierno said after meetings his Chinese counterparts in Beijing.

"This is really about expanding co-operation and, frankly, managing competition," Odierno said as he wrapped up his two-day visit.

He had been asked whether China's rise had affected US interests. "We want to expand our co-operation at a very high level, and then manage our differences constructively," Odierno said.

Although Odierno's trip focused only on land forces, he expected similar high-level contact would be set up between the navies and air forces.

Details would be finalised when US defence chief Chuck Hagel visited China in April, Odierno said.