China is standing firm on its activities in the South China Sea. President Xi Jinping sat down with the US Defense Secretary James Mattis in Beijing. The two touched on major differences. But the Chinese leader insisted Beijing is committed to peace. Chuck Tinte has more.

Chinese President Xi Jinping hosted Pentagon chief James Mattis at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing.

During the meeting, President Xi emphasized China's commitment to peaceful development, adding the country has no interest in expansionism or colonialism, and will never cause "chaos" in the world.

The trip comes amid tensions between Washington and Beijing.

Last month, the Chinese Navy identified and expelled two US warships that had entered illegally into China's territorial waters, off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea.

President Xi said China and the US share comment interests in a wide range of areas, and these outweigh differences.

He said the Pacific Ocean is large enough for China, the US, and other countries to share, adding China and the US should focus on strengthening ties with mutual respect and cooperation, in a way that benefits both sides.

Speaking about China's sovereignty and territorial integrity, Xi said China will protect every inch of territory left by its ancestors, and that the nation would never take any piece of territory from other countries.

He and Mattis agreed on the importance of military ties between the two countries.

President Xi says military ties are part of bilateral relations, and should act as a stabilizing force in how the two countries deal with each other.

Mattis agreed to enhance communication on strategy, adding military ties will become the strategic element of bilateral relations.

During the second day of Mattis' trip, he attended a welcoming ceremony hosted by China's Defense Minister Wei Fenghe.

Minister Wei said Mattis' visit will boost mutual trust between both militaries.

WEI FENGHE CHINESE NATIONAL DEFENSE MINISTER "Your visit will give new positive elements to the relationship between our two countries and our two militaries."

Mattis said he expects to find room for military cooperation.

JAMES MATTIS US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE "It is on us to carry out the guidance that President Xi and President Trump gave to us at the Mar-a-Lago summit about a year ago now."

And before Mattis's meeting with the Chinese president, the Foreign Ministry weighed in on military relations between China and the US.

LU KANG, SPOKESPERSON CHINESE FOREIGN MINISTRY "Recently, as we can see, China and the US have achieved some progress in military exchanges. It is normal for differences to emerge from time to time between two big countries. The important thing is, that whenever these problems may rise, both sides should be able to properly handle such differences in the spirit of mutual respect and mutual understanding -- broadening cooperation and managing differences. We believe that relations between China and the US can benefit both countries and their people."

Chuck Tinte, CGTN.