The US defense chief has wrapped up his three-day visit to China. Chinese President Xi Jinping as well as many senior officials had talks with James Mattis during his stay. During these times of tension between the world's two leading economies, they agreed upon the importance of maintaining sound development momentum of military relations. Rory Coen has the story.

The tough-talking Pentagon chief James Mattis in Beijing. His first time to visit China. Chinese President Xi Jinping told the US defense secretary that China is committed to peaceful development, and that it will not pursue the path of expansionism and colonialism. However, he did reiterate Beijing's firm stance on sovereignty and territorial integrity and how it would protect every inch of its territory passed down from history. He and Mattis agreed on the importance of maintaining development momentum of military relations. On Thursday morning, the US defense secretary met Xu Qiliang, the vice chairmen of China Central Military Commission.

XU QILIANG, VICE CHAIRMAN CHINESE CENTRAL MILITARY COMMISSION "Our presidents have reached very important consensus on promoting military ties. I hope the two militaries can continue to increase their mutual trust and cooperation in the future."

JAMES MATTIS US SECRETARY OF DEFENSE "This relationship is fundamental for both our nations' futures and the future of the international community in terms of peace and prosperity in the region."

The trip comes amid worrying tension between Washington and Beijing. Last month, two US warships entered China's territorial waters, off the Xisha Islands in the South China Sea. Beijing called it an illegal act, but the US maintained China was militarizing the region.

Before he departed, Mattis conceded he would be doing a lot of listening in Beijing.

On Wednesday, he met with China's Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and senior diplomatic official Yang Jiechi. During the talks, he said he hoped the two countries could move ahead and find ways for more robust military cooperation. Rory Coen, CGTN.