Defense Secretary Robert Gates said it was "critically important" for the US and Chinese militaries to maintain a dialogue about issues of disagreement as they work to develop military ties that both sides agree have improved this year.

Gates' remarks came at the outset of a nearly hour-long meeting with Chinese Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie at the annual Shangri-La Security Dialogue, a session aides said later was both "productive" and "very cordial." "Overall the meeting focused far more on areas of agreement than disagreement," Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell said.

"Of course there were areas of disagreement raised, but they were really acknowledged and sort of moved on from. And far more time was spent on things we collectively believe need to be done moving forward and focusing on them." Malaysian Prime Minister Najib Razak later inaugurated the meeting, calling for a new look at global strategic relationships.

"Today, China is our partner. The US is also our partner," he said. "It is not about taking sides. We must replace the old bilateralism of the Cold War not with a new bilateralism but with a multilateralism that can rise to the task ahead."

US-China military ties have been gradually warming this year but are still fragile after nearly a year's break over a US$6.4 billion arms deal with Taiwan. US military leaders are concerned about China's growing military capabilities, some of which they feel are directed at countering the United States' strengths in the region.

China tested a radar-evading jet fighter during Gates' visit to Beijing in January. China considers Taiwan a breakaway province, to be united eventually with the mainland, by force if necessary. The United States recognises Beijing's "one China" policy, but is obliged under the 1979 Taiwan Relations Act to help the island defend itself.