SEOUL: Military relations between the United States and China have begun to thaw after a year of limited contact, the admiral in charge of the US Pacific Command said yesterday.

Talks recently began between the two nations' military leaders, said Adm Robert F. Willard, adding that American officials are seeking to reforge US-China ties.

"We've commenced dialogue where we can," said Willard, who was in Seoul for annual defense ministers' talks.