BEIJING - A Defense Ministry spokesman said Thursday China and the US have maintained close communication regarding a multinational naval drill to be held in the Pacific Ocean in 2014.

Spokesman Yang Yujun said strengthening military cooperation and exchanges between Chinese and US armed forces will be conducive to boosting understanding and trust between the two sides.

Some foreign media reports saying that China will use the drill to steal military secrets are making unverified assumptions, Yang said.

"These unfounded assumptions underestimate the ability of relevant countries in keeping their secrets, and overestimate China's interest in such so-called secrets," Yang said.