Defence Secretary Robert Gates says the United States and China should work for smoother military cooperation and clear understanding each other's intentions.
Gates played host on Tuesday during a rare visit to the Pentagon by a top Chinese general. A spokesman for Gates says he told Gen Xu Caihou that too many ups and down are occurring in military ties between the two countries.
Gates and Xu did not discuss the latest major dispute in detail, Morrell said. That was an incident this year in which Chinese fishing boats rushed a US warship in waters China claims are part of an extended zone of influence.
On Monday, Xu played down his country's rapid military buildup. He told a Washington audience that China does not want "hegemony" or an arms race.