WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — Obama’s remarks come as Washington has repeatedly called on China to halt land reclamation efforts of the disputed Spratley Islands in the South China Sea.
"With respect to security in the Asia Pacific, we agreed to more channels of communication to reduce the risks of miscalculations between our militaries," Obama stated in a joint press conference with Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping at the White House.
"I conveyed to president Xi our significant concerns over land reclamation construction and the militarization of disputed areas, which makes harder for countries in the region to resolve disagreements peacefully," Obama pointed out.
Countries located in and around the areas of the South China Sea, including the Philippines, Malaysia and Vietnam, have expressed competing claims to the disputed Spratly Islands. China claims sovereignty over the Spratly Islands and the 12 nautical mile zone surrounding them.
Meanwhile, Chinese President Xi Jinping said during a joint press conference with Obama that the US and China had agreed to step up their military dialogue and begin to hold more joint military drills and training.
"We have fully affirmed the new progress made in the confidence-building mechanisms between the two militaries," Xi stated. "We have agreed to step up exchanges and policy dialogues between two militaries at all levels, hold more joint exercises and training."
The commitment to expand military cooperation follows two Memoranda of Understanding on Confidence Building Measures (CBMs) military deals that the United States and China signed in November 2014.
As part of the CBMs, Washington and Beijing agreed to avoid military confrontation in Asia. The CBMs stipulate the two countries notify the one another of major military activities, policy and strategy development, and also outlines rules of engagement in air and maritime incidents.
