(CNN) -- China and the United States will resume high-level defense talks next week, signaling a warming of relations since Beijing broke off military ties early this year.
Chinese Defense Minister General Liang Guanglie and U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates will talk in Hanoi, Vietnam, while they attend a security forum of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations.
"Liang is scheduled to meet Gates on the sidelines of the conference," said Guan Youfei, deputy director of the Ministry of National Defense's Foreign Affairs Office, according to Chinese state-run media.
Beijing broke off military contacts early this year to protest the U.S. sale of arms to Taiwan, which China regards as a breakaway province.
"It takes mutual respect and concern for each other's core interests to keep a healthy military relationship," Guan said at a news briefing Wednesday, according to China Daily.
Gates also is expected to further defense discussions by visiting China.
CNN
