BEIJING - Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Chang Wanquan and US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel vowed on Wednesday to advance military ties between their countries.

In a telephone conversation, Chang congratulated Hagel on his appointment as Pentagon chief.

Chang said that military ties are an important part of the overall bilateral relationship between the two countries and that developing inter-military ties is not only the consensus between Chinese and US leaders, but also the common wishes of the defense departments and armies of the two countries.

Chang also said China attaches great importance to its military ties with the United States.

China is willing to work with Washington to address their inter-military ties within the framework of building a cooperative Sino-US partnership, earnestly respect each other's core interests and deal with each other's grave concerns, increase strategic mutual trust through dialogue and consultation and deepen practical cooperation between their militaries, in an effort to advance toward the goal of building a new-type Sino-US military relationship of equality, mutual benefit and win-win cooperation, he said.

Agreeing to Chang's appraisal of the Sino-US military ties, Hagel said that China and the United States have common interests and that the two sides should join hands to advance their inter-military ties that are facing new historic opportunities.

Hagel also invited Chang to visit the United States at a convenient time this year.