US and China hail closer cooperation

The American Defence Secretary, William Cohen, and his Chinese counterpart, Chi Haotian, have stressed the importance of closer cooperation between the two countries amid the economic crisis in Asia.

After talks in Beijing, Mr Chi said China would do its best to establish a strategic partnership with Washington.

Correspondents say Mr Cohen's three-day visit to Beijing is intended to improve military co-operation and to press the Chinese leadership to limit its arms trade with the Middle East.

He'll have talks with President Jiang Zemin.

He will also tour an underground air defence centre -- something he described as a breakthrough in openness for the Chinese military.

The visit will conclude agreements on exchanges of military personnel and on preventing confrontations at sea.

From the newsroom of the BBC World Service