Agreeing with Cao's view on bilateral relations, Mullen said that U.S.-China relations are very important and the dialogue between the two nations as well as the two militaries is "critical".
Mullen, who has been nominated by U.S. President George W. Bush to become the next chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, promised to Cao that he would continue to nurture the bilateral ties no matter whether he serves in his current position or as Bush's major military adviser and leader of the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force and Marines, according to a press release provided by the Chinese Ministry of Defense.
Mullen also expressed his hope that exchanges and cooperation in such fields as military academic education and exchange visits of warships, could be further boosted in an effort to increase mutual understanding and trust, said the press release.
