General Chen Bingde addresses the audience at the National Defense University on Wednesday. [Wu Qingcai/China News Service]

China's core interests range from maintaining stability in the form of government, political system and social order; China's sovereignty, national security, territorial integrity and national unity, Chen told senior US military officers, researchers and the media in his keynote speech at the US National Defense University on Wednesday. 

He and Mullen also touched on such sensitive issues as US arms sales to Taiwan, the US reconnaissance activities in waters close to China and the legal obstacle that Taiwan Act poses to the deepening of the two militaries’ relations.

"Our mutual interest outweighs our differences," Chen said, although he pointed out that continuing US arms sales to Taiwan will affect the exchanges between the two militaries.

Related: General warns against arms sales to Taiwan

The two top military chiefs also stressed the two militaries had shared concerns over emerging challenges, which include nuclear proliferation, terrorism, climate change, energy security and piracy – the biggest threat to maritime commerce, Mullen said.

Chen said that the world's effort to ensure maritime safety should not limit to operations in the sea, saying that the world should target the masterminds on land.

Recognizing that the killing of Osama bin Laden by the American navy SEALs was a "milestone in counter-terrorism," Chen told the press that the world must be keenly aware that the death of bin Laden did not remove the "breeding soil" of terrorism and other heads of terrorism groups may emerge.

"We must also recognize that terrorism is a common enemy in the world, and double standards should not be allowed," Chen told the press, while calling for more international cooperation in the intelligence field.

Above all, "what he (Chen) and I both talked about is future, a peaceful future, a better one for our children and grandchildren," Mullen said. "That (future) does not include conflicts between China and the US."

The two sides agree to keep up their communication through the US-China defense telephone link, while recognizing the importance of "joint efforts to create a positive atmosphere towards this end."

To continue their talks, Chen extended an invitation to Mullen and his wife to visit China soon, and Mullen has accepted the invitation.

The two sides also plan to carry out personnel exchanges among medical, cultural and sports professionals.