BEIJING, Feb. 10 (Xinhuanet) -- During the ongoing sixth China-US defense consultations, the two sides will exchange views in depth on their military relations and Chinese military leaders will expound on China's stance on the Taiwan issue, said Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue here Tuesday.

    Zhang said at a regular press conference that the two-day sixthround of consultations on defense at the vice-defense ministerial level between China and the United States started here Tuesday morning.

    She said the Chinese side is headed by Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of general staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army, and the US side by Douglas Jay Feith, undersecretary of defense for policy.

    Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan, who is also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission and a state councilor,and Foreign Minister Li Zhaoxing, will meet separately with Feith,the spokeswoman added.

    The annual consultations between the defense departments of thetwo countries began in 1997. The previous consultations have been held in Washington and Beijing alternately. The fifth round was held in December 2002 in Washington.