Furthermore, lack of meaningful military cooperation has reduced incentives for a lasting relationship. In the 1980s when military ties were closest, the then US Secretary of Defense Caspar W. Weinberger suggested military relations be based on three pillars: high-level visits, functional-level exchanges and cooperation in military technology. Currently, with the US still imposing sanctions against the Chinese military, placing legislative limits on military exchanges, and making alarmist voices about "China's military threat" each and every time China shows progress in modernizing its military, it is difficult to sustain a robust relationship.

However, the attention attached to Gates' visit has shown that military relations are an important part of the overall relationship. The US and China have reached a consensus that relations should be "healthy and stable" (in the words of President Hu Jintao), or "solid, consistent and not subject to shifting political winds" (in the words of Secretary Gates). China and the US share more and more common interests in dealing with contemporary global security issues. China and the US also share greater stakes in managing the differences and disputes between them. As two major international players, China and the US are obliged to cooperate in global security and military affairs. And their militaries have to work together in bilateral, multilateral, regional and even global settings. The two militaries should cooperate to avoid unexpected crisis and ensure win-win solutions to problems.

However, military cooperation has to be enhanced in a step-by-step and practical manner to create mutual trust. China has stressed the principles of respect, mutual trust and reciprocity in developing military ties. In accordance with these principles, the US should make serious efforts to remove the three obstacles to improving mutual trust and better cooperation - arms sales to Taiwan , air and maritime reconnaissance against China, and legislation obstructing military exchanges.

If China and the US agree that sound military relations are important and desirable, there must be a clear chart of how to move relations forward, as the relationship is becoming too consequential to become mired in the past.

The author is a major general and senior researcher at the Academy of Military Science of the PLA.