WASHINGTON - Chinese and US defense chiefs agreed here Monday to take new steps to enhance military cooperation and exchanges between their countries.

The agreement was reached by visiting Chinese Minister of National Defense Chang Wanquan and his US counterpart, Chuck Hagel, during their talks at the Pentagon, which Hagel hailed as "very productive."

US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel hosts an honor cordon to welcome China's Minister of National Defense Chang Wanquan at the Pentagon in Washington August 19, 2013. [Photo/Agencies]

The efforts, they said, are aimed at elevating the bilateral military relationship to a new height for the sake of maintaining regional and global peace and stability.

Speaking at a joint news conference after the talks, Hagel said he restated to the Chinese guests the US commitment to building "a positive and constructive relationship" with China.

He noted that the US-China relationship is important to maintaining stability and security in the Asia-Pacific and safeguarding security and prosperity for the two nations in the 21st century.

"One of the themes we emphasized today was that a sustained, substantive military-to-military relationship is an important pillar for this strong bilateral relationship," said Hagel.

"The United States welcomes and supports the rise of a prosperous and responsible China that helps solve regional and global problems," added the Pentagon chief.

For his part, Chang said the purpose of his first US visit is "to implement the important consensus reached by (Chinese) President Xi Jinping and (US) President (Barack) Obama of building a new model of major country relationship based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation."

The trip, he added, is also intended "to further increase mutual understanding, to enhance mutual trust, to promote mutual cooperation, and to push forward the sound and stable development of our national and military relations."