Robert Gates, US defence secretary, on Monday called on China to insulate the relationship between the two countries' militaries from the fallout over a $6.4bn US arms sale to Taiwan.

In comments at a press conference at the Pentagon, Mr Gates highlighted the Obama administration's continuing campaign to maintain such military-to-military contacts as a means of reducing distrust between the two sides, as well as avoiding inadvertent clashes and reassuring each other about long-term strategic goals.

“Stability is enhanced by contact between our military and a greater understanding of each other's strategies,” Mr Gates said of China. “So I hope that if there is a downturn, that it will be a temporary one and that we can get back to strengthening this relationship.”