Talks between Chinese and U.S. militaries on maritime security last week were "substantial" and "candid," China's Ministry of National Defense said Sunday.

The two sides held annual consultations in Hawaii Thursday and Friday under their Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) mechanism, said a statement issued by the ministry.

The two sides exchanged opinions on their maritime security situation since this year and solutions to maritime security concerns in a "substantial" and "candid" manner, it said.

They also reached agreement on the issues of next year's MMCA working group meetings, it said.

The Chinese delegation was led by Rear Admiral Liao Shining, Deputy Chief of Staff of the People's Liberation Army Navy, and the U.S. delegation was led by Major General Randolph Alles, director of the Strategic Planning and Policy Bureau of the U.S. Pacific Command.