The visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping to the United States in September will inject new momentum to the bilateral relationship, according to Chinese Ambassador to the US Cui Tiankai.

Cui made the remark at a reception on Tuesday at the Chinese Embassy in Washington marking the 88th anniversary of the founding of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

"It will be an important visit that lays out the blueprint for China-US relations and injects new impetus to the new model of major-country relationship," he said.

Cui said the two presidents will take the opportunity to have candid and in-depth exchanges of views on major issues concerning bilateral relations as well as peace and development of the world, and push for closer cooperation, greater consensuses, and more deliverables.

"We hope to work together with the US side to make the visit a complete success, thus, opening up broader prospects for China-US relations, benefiting our two peoples, and promoting win-win cooperation in the international community," Cui told an audience of about 500 guests.

The career diplomat said that China remains committed to the path of peaceful development and continues to pursue a national defense policy that is defensive in nature.

"Building a defense capability commensurate with China's international standing, which meets the needs of national security and development interests, is not only in the fundamental interests of China but also conducive to peace and stability across the world," he said.

Cui said that the PLA, while performing its duty to safeguard China's national security, has undertaken more international obligations in recent years, such as in UN peacekeeping missions, international humanitarian operations, counter-piracy in the Gulf of Aden, and fighting the Ebola virus in West Africa.

Cui described the military-to-military relationship between China and the US as moving on the right track of steady development. The two militaries have established the mechanism of notification of major military activities and agreed on the Rules of Behavior for the Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters.

They also have made headway in high-level exchanges, consultation and dialogue mechanisms, joint military exercises and training and other areas of cooperation.

During the visit to the US last month by General Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, the two sides reached an important consensus on having closer exchanges, stronger cooperation and better risk management.

"This has instilled positive energy to the continued and steady development of a sound mil-to-mil relationship between China and the United States," Cui said.

The ambassador reminded the guests of a photo exhibit inside the embassy about China-US cooperation during World War II. "It relives the profound friendship that China and the United States fostered in fighting fascists side by side more than 70 years ago," he said.

chenweihua@chinadailyusa.com