BEIJING, Feb. 22 (Xinhua) -- The United States is working with China to establish institutional dialogue between their two armies, Ray Odierno, the U.S. Army chief of staff, said here Saturday.

"It is a very important first step," Odierno told reporters, noting that the dialogue is the first time at institutional level and is "more long-term and more long-standing."

The first meeting of the dialogue is expected to be held this year, he said.

Odierno said that the dialogue would include humanitarian assistance, disaster relief, peace keeping and vairios military exchanges.

Odierno is on his first visit to China as U.S. Army chief of staff. His trip is focused on improving the military-to-military relationship between China and the United States. He believes that the two militaries have a lot in common and that it is important to emphasize engagement, dialogue, understanding and trust.

As significant Pacific nations, it is important that the United States and China have "a common understanding and work together to continue to develop the objectives that we both have, which is a secure and stable environment that allows both our economies to grow," he said.

On the subject of the U.S. military position on disputes between China and Japan in the South China Sea, Odierno said the U.S. side reinforces the importance of dialogue and discussion between China and Japan and expects great care to ensure there are no miscalculations along the way.

During his two days in Beijing, Odierno had meetings with Vice Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Fan Changlong and senior officials on the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army.

Odierno will continue his trip in China with a visit to Shenyang.