WASHINGTON (AFP) ― China’s leader-in-waiting Xi Jinping and U.S. defense chiefs agreed on the need for expanding military relations between the two powers after talks at the Pentagon Tuesday, a U.S. military spokesman said.

China’s top brass has shown less enthusiasm for deepening security ties with the United States but Xi, the country’s vice president, endorsed more military contacts in talks with U.S. Defense Secretary Leon Panetta, Pentagon spokesman George Little said.

Following an elaborate ceremony at the Defense Department welcoming Xi, the two sides discussed improving communication between their armed forces as a crucial element to the U.S.-China relationship, Little said in a statement.

“They agreed on the need for enhanced and substantive dialogue and communication to foster greater understanding and expand mutual trust,” Little said after Xi met Panetta and top U.S. military officer General Martin Dempsey.

Citing recent reciprocal visits by the chiefs of each country’s armed forces, Xi ― who earlier met President Barack Obama at the White House ― voiced support for an exchange of visits between Panetta and his Chinese counterpart, Little said.

Xi “urged both sides to maintain and strengthen practical exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries,” while Panetta suggested humanitarian assistance and counter-piracy efforts “as productive areas for deepening cooperation,” he said.

“Both agreed that the two militaries should discuss the specifics of a program of future exchanges.”

Underlining the importance Washington attached to Xi’s visit, the Pentagon staged a rare show for a visiting foreign dignitary, with a booming 19-gun salute, marching bands and honor guards from each branch of the armed forces.

China’s military chiefs have often suspended contacts in recent years over Washington’s arms sales to Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.

Anxious about China’s growing military power, U.S. commanders have long urged a more regular dialogue with their Chinese counterparts designed to avoid misunderstandings and potential crises.

But security ties remain tentative and have yet to gain traction.

Before the meeting, Panetta called for more “transparency” from China’s military and said forging a better security dialogue would ensure “stability and prosperity in the Asia-Pacific region.”

“The United States and China are Pacific powers and we welcome the rise of a prosperous and successful China that plays an active and responsible role in regional and global security affairs,” Panetta said.

“To build a cooperative partnership, it is essential that we enhance mutual trust and understanding between our two military establishments,” Panetta said.

Xi said he had travelled to the United States “to deepen mutual trust” and to promote a “cooperative partnership” between the two countries.