BEIJING: China, seizing on a historic change of power in the United States, yesterday urged Washington to 'remove obstacles' and work with Beijing to strengthen military ties.

Speaking just hours before Mr Barack Obama's inauguration, Defence Ministry spokesman Hu Changming said the Chinese leadership hoped to see an improvement in the defence relationship with a new administration in Washington.

'In the new era, I expect the two sides to make joint efforts to create conditions for the continuous improvement and development of bilateral military ties,' he said during a press briefing to unveil a new defence policy paper.

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