In their official talks on Monday, Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie and Gates reached consensus on joint efforts to expand common interests, deepen dialogue and exchanges, and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation to ensure military ties back on the sound track.

They pledged to keep open the channel for exchange mechanism like defense and maritime security consultations between the two militaries.

Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping, while meeting with Gates later on Monday, stressed "reliable political basis" for Sino-U.S. military ties, which have gone through ups and downs in the past years.

Xi, also vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission, urged the two militaries to take measures to safeguard the "stable and reliable" political foundation, that is, mutual respect for sovereignty, security and development interests.

Another Vice chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou made a three-point proposal on developing China-U.S. military ties, in his meeting with Gates.

Xu called on to respect and accommodate each other's core interest and major concern, to cultivate and increase strategic trust between the two armed forces, and to consolidate and expand common interests for both sides.

Calling U.S.-China relations the "most important" bilateral ties in the world, Gates told Xu that his visit achieved "important progress" in building stable military ties between both countries.

Gates said his country was expecting President Hu's state visit. Hu is due to meet with Gates on Tuesday.

Gates will visit the command of the Second Artillery Force of the PLA on Wednesday. This is his second China trip since he took office in December 2006.