China-US Military Ties: China seeks healthy relationship amid growing tensions

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Military tensions are rising between China and the US with Beijing calling on Washington to value healthy and stable relations. That's the message from the Ministry of National Defense at its monthly press conference. Han Bin has more.

Shifting the priority from anti-terrorism to countering China and Russia, that's the new national defense strategy of the USA.

JIM MATTIS US DEFENSE SECRETARY "We face growing threats from revisionist powers as different as China and Russia are from each other."

Last week, the US guided missile destroyer Hopper came within 12 nautical miles of Huangyan Island, also known as the Scarborough Shoal, which is claimed by its military ally, the Philippines.

China says it has indisputable sovereignty over the island and its adjacent waters, and it vows necessary measures in the future. It also criticized what it considers provocative action by the US.

HAN BIN BEIJING "For decades, China has been trying to avoid any direct confrontation with the US, giving priority to its peaceful development. That could change with the recent US moves. Many say the unpredictability of policy under Trump, may be pushing relations into troubled waters."

And the Chinese military wants to get matters on an even keel.

WU QIAN CHINESE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE SPOKESMAN "The favorable development of relations between the two countries, would need the concerted efforts from both sides. We'd like to work with the US side in the spirit of mutual respect, mutual trust, and practical cooperation, to add positive energy to relations, and inject new impetus into the relationship."

China says it will participate in this year's Rim of the Pacific naval exercise, and carry out high-level exchanges as scheduled.

WU QIAN CHINESE MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE SPOKESMAN "We welcome the visit of US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis in the first half of this year to China. The two ministries are keeping in close contact regarding this visit."

Mattis is on a visit Asia to boost the US presence in the Pacific. For China, the real thinking behind the US military moves becomes even more important than ever.

Han Bin, CGTN, Beijing.