BEIJING - China and the United States should explore ways for a pragmatic and cooperative relationship between their militaries, and "gradually accumulate mutual trust", the Chinese defence minister was cited as saying by the ministry on Wednesday.

The minister, Dong Jun, in a phone conversation with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, also said the Taiwan issue is "core of China's core interests" and must never be hurt, and that the U.S. should respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea. REUTERS