Beijing: A top Chinese general on December 11 asked the United States (US) to honour its commitment on vexed Taiwan issue and not to supply arms to the island which Beijing views as a rebel province.

"China expected the United States to honour its commitments to the Chinese government and properly settle the issue of arms sales to Taiwan and contribute to the peaceful reunification of China," the chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), General Liang Gua Nglie, told visiting US deputy secretary of state Richard Armitage.

Taiwan issue was always the most important and sensitive issue of the Sino-US relations, he said while expressing China's readiness to promote military relations on the basis of mutual trust and benefit, and improved understanding.

Liang, also a member of the Central Military Commission, said the three meetings between Chinese President Jiang Zemin and US President George W Bush were of great significance to the development of the bilateral constructive relationship of co- operation, official Xinhua news agency reported.

China and the US had made progress in various fields including anti-terrorism efforts, economy and trade, science and technology, energy and environmental protection as well as consultation and cooperation in major international and regional issues, he said.

Armitage said US hoped to establish friendly relations with China, and the relations between the two countries played an important role in the prosperity and stability of the Asian-Pacific region. Friendly exchanges between US and Chinese armies had a positive role in the improvement of relations between the two countries, he added.

PTI