BEIJING — The participation of high-level Chinese officials in a key Asia-Pacific security meeting showed China's positive attitude towards improving its ties with the United States, a leading China expert said Tuesday.

Chinese Defense Minister Liang Guanglie attended the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore for the first time last week, delivering a keynote speech and meeting with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates and Deputy Secretary of State James Steinberg.

"The lack of mutual trust is a major obstacle in US-China relations,” Li Cheng, director of research and senior fellow at John L. Thornton China Center in Brookings Institution told China Daily, suggesting the two sides increase official, multi-channel, and high level dialogues.

Li believed the establishment of more mechanisms is good for the world's two major powers to improve ties, for instance establishing a mechanism on joint military exercise in the sea which may avoid frictions on maritime affairs.

In response to the chorus of "China Threat" in Western countries, Li said western countries should worry more about the failure of China.

"Western countries should not be afraid of the rise of China. Instead, they should be worried about China's failure."

According to Li, the voice of "China Threat" depends on many factors, saying the voice usually grows louder during the US presidential elections.