China hails Hagel's work on China-US defense ties

BEIJING - A Chinese Defense Ministry spokesman on Thursday praised Chuck Hagel's efforts on China-US defense ties as the 68-year-old Republican stepped down as US defense secretary.

"China appreciates Mr. Hagel's efforts during his term on China-US defense and military ties, " Spokesman Geng Yansheng said at a monthly press briefing when asked to comment on Hagel's resignation.

Commenting on the momentum of bilateral military ties in recent years, Geng said the two defense ministries had worked to implement the consensus reached by the presidents of China and the United States to build a new type of China-US military ties.

The presidents of China and the United States agreed to establish a mutual reporting and trust mechanism on major military operations and a code of safe conduct on naval and air military encounters ("two mutual trust mechanisms") between the two sides during their meeting in California in June last year.

Both sides announced during US President Barack Obama's China visit earlier this month that the signing of the "two mutual trust mechanisms."

"The establishment of the 'two mutual trust mechanisms' will play an important role in furthering bilateral military ties," said Geng.

He said China is willing to work with the United States to continue enhancing mutual understanding, deepening military exchanges, properly handling differences and preventing risks to push forward the healthy and steady development of the new type of China-US military ties.

Obama on Monday announced the resignation of Hagel, the first change to his cabinet after the Democrats' heavy loss in the midterm elections early this month.

Hagel took office in February 2013.