China is ready to work with the United States to advance military-to-military links in a healthy and stable way, Defense Ministry Spokesman Geng Yansheng said Thursday.

Geng told a monthly press briefing that during Chinese Vice President Xi Jinping's official visit to the United States last week, Xi had in-depth exchanges of views with U.S. leaders and military officials on bilateral and military-to-military ties.

"This visit was of great significance to guiding the development of relations between the two countries and the two militaries," Geng said.

He said China has always placed importance on expanding military-to-military links with the United States, which he said remains one of the most important bilateral links in the world.

In recent years, the two militaries have carried out sound cooperation in the areas of high-level contact, dialogues, military records, humanitarian relief and disaster reduction, Geng said. But he said the military ties still faced certain difficulties and obstacles.

"We are ready to work with the U.S. side, by observing the principles of mutual respect, trust, equality and mutual benefits, to respect and take care of each other's core interests and major concerns, properly handle differences and controversial issues, cultivate strategic mutual trust and push forward China-U.S. military links in a healthy and stable way," Geng said.