BEIJING - THE top commander of the United States Pacific Fleet raised concern over China's military build-up and urged Beijing to clarify the intentions behind its increasingly sophisticated armed forces.

Admiral Timothy Keating said on Tuesday he urged Beijing to increase transparency in military affairs during talks with government and defence officials here which focused largely on the issue of Taiwan.

'China's military is developing very impressively,' Adm Keating told journalists.

In talks on Monday, Beijing agreed to bring military exchanges with the US to a higher level, a form of cooperation that could help allay growing concerns over the intentions behind China's military build-up, he said.

'We want to be very straightforward with our Chinese colleagues... increased transparency can lead to greater trust and reduces the potential for misunderstanding,' Adm Keating said.

'One of the reasons we are here is just to get to this question of intent ... as misunderstanding can lead to conflict or crisis.'

Adm Keating met on Monday with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi and General Guo Boxiong, vice-chairman of the powerful central military commission.

In his talks, Adm Keating was accompanied by Assistant US Secretary of Defence James Shinn and other US officials.

Taiwan was a major part of discussions with China reiterating its concern over US weapons sales to the island, which it fears is emboldening independence forces there, China's foreign ministry said.

According to the Taiwan government, China has increased the number of ballistic missile facing the island to over 1,000 in recent years.

China views Taiwan as rebel territory awaiting reunification and has threatened to retake the island by force should it formally declare independence. -- AFP