China is calling on the US to push their military relationship forward, a stabilizing force in bilateral relations. This includes, as one expert says, resuming high-level dialogue, and making the cases of mutual interests bigger. CGTN's Han Bin shows us where the situation stands.

It's been widely seen as a fundamental shift in Washington's policy on China.

DONALD J. TRUMP US PRESIDENT "Around the world, we face rogue regimes and rivals like China."

MICHAEL RICHARD POMPEO SECRETARY OF STATE, USA "We have continued concerns about China's activities in militarization in the South China Sea."

MICHAEL R. PENCE VICE PRESIDENT, USA "And Beijing has prioritized capabilities to erode America's military advantages."

China's military is preparing for the worst, while pushing for the best to happen.

WU QIAN, SPOKESMAN MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE "I have to say the common interests between the two far outweigh their differences. The Chinese military is ready to work with the US side under the guidance of consensus of the two heads of states, to make the case of common interests bigger, and properly manage the risks."

US-China military relations have dropped to a new low in recent months, amid the US's sharpening approaches on trade, The Trump administration has struck two arms deals with Taiwan, and its warships have sailed through the Taiwan Strait. 

The US has flown B-52 bombers and conducted several so-called freedom of navigation operations in the South China Sea. The two navies had a near collision near Nansha island, known as the Spratly. China says the rising close-in reconnaissance is provocative and threatens its security.

Washington sanctioned the Chinese military to buy fighter jets from Russia. China responded by calling off high-level military talks, and conducted live-fire drills in the southern waters. During an inspection tour of southern China's Guangdong Province, President Xi Jinping told the military to intensify their training to "prepare for a possible war". The tougher approaches by the US military towards China has made many speculate that one day, the situation could escalated to a real confrontation. So far, China is taking a restrained approach.

WU QIAN, SPOKESMAN MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE "The Chinese side looks forward to a sound and stable military relationship with the US, especially when Patrick Shanahan becomes the acting defense secretary."

Officials on both sides emphasize that the military role is a stabilizing force in the country's relationship. But it's a challenge to reduce mistrust, and seek a process of exploring how to get there.

HAN BIN BEIJING "Analysts say recent military tensions, along with the ongoing trade frictions, could make it difficult to get relations between the two militaries back on track. And the recent resignation of US Defense Secretary James Mattis, has only added fresh uncertainty to an already strained relationship. Han Bin, CGTN, Beijing."