BEIJING, July 15 -- China's Defense Minister Chang Wanquan on Tuesday met with the United States Chief of Naval Operations Jonathan Greenert on improving military relations.

China and the U.S. should value the good relationship between the two national armies, Chang said.

The two sides should implement the consensus of a new pattern of relation between the two great powers and a corresponding new type of military relation, important to mutual long-term interests and conducive to regional and world peace, said Chang.

He also called for the two naval forces to explore new cooperation modes.

Jonathan Greenert said the two navies should seek more mutual understanding and respect and better deal with sensitive issues and divergence.

The visiting naval officer also advocated continuous cooperation in safety affairs to promote the healthy and stable development of bilateral military relations.