WASHINGTON / BEIJING - The militaries of the United States and China remain divided on serious issues such as arms sales to Taiwan, disputes over the South China Sea and US naval reconnaissance missions within what China considers its exclusive territory.

Navy Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, made the remarks on Monday during a news conference. It was Mullen's last meeting with reporters at the Foreign Press Center in Washington before he retires in autumn.

He said the two militaries took a "healthy step" in their relationship through discussions held between him and Chen Bingde, chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), in May during Chen's visit to the US and in mid-July during Mullen's visit to China.