The top US general said Friday he supported the establishment of a "hotline" between the military and civilian leaders of China and the United States to build confidence.

The "hotline", if established would facilitate timely communication between Washington and Beijing and might be able to help build trust and confidence between the two countries' armed forces, said Marine Gen Peter Pace, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff at a press conference in Beijing.

The two sides were also seeking opportunities to send junior officers and cadets to each other's army academies, said Pace, adding that they can exchange positions, work and observe side by side, so that trust and confidence can be nurtured.

The US general, who described his visit to China as an understanding-fostering trip, reiterated his country's firm support of the one-China policy and the three joint communiqu¨¦s between the two giants.

"President Bush said he doesn't support Taiwan independence," said the general, stessing that the US is determined to help both sides of the Taiwan Straits find peaceful solution to Taiwan question.

When asked about regional security that involves China, Japan, Australia and US, Pace said that for countries and regions concerned, "The more that we depend on each other, for our economic prosperity, the less likely it is we will look for ways to come into conflicts with each other."

Pace arrived in Beijing Thursday for a four-day visit, which as he said is aimed at boosting bilateral military ties.

"I have been welcomed as a friend here in China," said Pace who is the first Marine to serve as chairman of Joints Chiefs of Staff.

He went on to hail the "good, open, candid and calm" talks with his Chinese counterpart General Liang Guanglie, Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan and General Guo Boxiong, Pace said.

Both sides expressed wishes to deepen mutual understanding on a broader horizon, Pace said.