国际英语新闻:Pentagon chief stresses to anchor relations with China around common interests

WASHINGTON, March 28 (Xinhua) -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel on Thursday said he is inclined to anchor relations with China around common interests.

Hagel made the remarks during a press briefing at the Pentagon, saying China is "a great power, will continue to be a great power. "

"I think always the key to relationships with great powers is common interest. You anchor relationships around common interests. You don't start with your differences. And that's what we'll continue to do, is build onto those common interests with China, economic, diplomatic, military to military. And that's the responsible approach," said Hagel.

While insisting the two countries have to factor the U.S. rebalancing to the Asia Pacific into their relationship, Hagel said he didn't think the way to solve the difference is "going to war."

"We've got to be smart how we handle this. It's common interests. And we're on a path to do that," said Hagel.