The military-to-military ties between the United States and China have a vital role to play in the development of an active, cooperative and comprehensive bilateral relationship, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton told retired generals from both countries in Washington on Thursday.

In a meeting with participants of an exchange forum between retired generals of the two countries, Clinton said President Barack Obama attaches great importance to the growth of interactions between the two militaries. Exchanges between retired generals of the two militaries, Clinton said, could play an important role in facilitating a healthy development of military-to-military relationship between the United States and China.

Kurt Campbell, assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, said at a separate meeting with the retired generals that the Obama administration fully supports exchanges of this kind and hopes that such interactions could continue on a regular basis.

Through in-depth and extensive dialogues of this kind, Campbell said, the two militaries could increase mutual understanding and trust and promote growth of constructive cooperation between the two sides.

Xiong Guangkai, former vice-chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, is heading the Chinese delegation.