Given the fact that the US is among the few countries with a cyber war headquarters and troops, Luo said Beijing also expects the US to ensure that it would not impose dangers on China in that regard.

"The US needs to start laying the groundwork for better understanding by the Chinese of what we expect from them in cyberspace," James Lewis, a cyber security expert with the Center for Strategic and International Studies who has met with Chinese officials and scholars for informal discussions, told The Associated Press.

"We want to figure out some way to get some understanding in place before something bad happens."

If there is a cyber incident in China, Lewis said, "we need the Chinese to feel confident that they can call us up and ask, `Was it you?', and get a straight answer."

At the press conference, Liang told reporters that the two sides are committed to building a sound, stable and reliable military-to-military relationship.

"Facing the complicated and serious security situation in the Asia-Pacific, both of us agree that it is in line with our own interests to strengthen the cooperation between the two militaries in order to protect the peace and stability of the region," he said.

Panetta hailed the talk with Liang as "productive".

"The United States and China are both Pacific powers and our relationship is one of the most critical in the world," he said. "We share many interests across the Asia-Pacific region and beyond."