BEIJING, Sept. 22 (Xinhua) -- Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun met with a U.S. House of Representatives delegation led by Adam Smith, ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, on Monday in Beijing.

Dong called on the visiting U.S. Congress members to remove disruptive and restrictive factors and take constructive and pragmatic steps to play an active role in improving relations between the Chinese and U.S. militaries.

The Chinese military is willing to work with the U.S. military to develop their relations featuring equality, mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, stability and positivity. Meanwhile, the Chinese military will resolutely safeguard China's sovereignty, security and development interests, Dong said.

Dong also called on the two sides to ensure an unimpeded channel for military communication and take concrete measures to boost the stable, sound and sustainable development of relations between the two countries and their militaries.■