The United States and China have inked a military agreement in Washington that will enable the armies of both nations to conduct peaceful dialogues and cooperation with each other. 

Major General William Hix signed the agreement for the U.S. while Major General Tang Ning affixed his signature for China.  Witnesses to the signing included People's Liberation Army (PLA) Deputy Head Fan Changlong and the United States Army Chief Raymond Odierno, China Daily reported.  The agreement is the first of its kind signed by the two countries in many years.

Like Us on Facebook

The military agreement between the two countries aims to create a line of communication to enable better coordination in areas such as disaster, relief operations, and even anti-piracy operations.  The US also sees this agreement as a way to reduce tensions particularly in the Pacific, according to VOA News.      

The military agreement provides the opportunity for both countries to conduct joint military drills in the future.

This sentiment was echoed by the United States Defense Secretary Ash Carter, who said that "he hopes" that the two countries can agree on certain rules in case their militaries come in contact with one another. 

The United States has been conducting patrols over the disputed Spratly Islands in which China is one of the claimants.  Meanwhile, Chinese forces are currently asserting the country's claims by fortifying the islands that it occupies in the contested area.  Several of the claimants also include the Philippines and Vietnam, who are both allies of the United States.

RT reports that China converted many of the islets and reefs into bigger islands.  The Chinese took 18 months to create more than 3 square miles of new land within the disputed region.  The United States also claimed that the Chinese military has stationed several mobile artillery in the area.

Meanwhile, China accused the United States of inciting problems in the Pacific area and urged its leaders to get rid of its "Cold War mentality".

Many U.S. security analysts have voiced doubts that the military agreement can achieve what Washington is hoping for. 

TagsChina military, US-China relations, US-China Military Agreement