'Trust vital' for Straits military ties

Defense paper calls for measures to build confidence with other nations

BEIJING - Authorities on both sides of the Taiwan Straits should explore the possibility of building a military security mechanism of mutual trust, formally end hostilities and reach a peace agreement, according to a white paper on China's national defense issued on Thursday.

It is the first time for the biennial white paper, issued by the State Council Information Office, to mention such a mechanism, proposed by President Hu Jintao in late 2008.