On March 14, 2008 the first military hotline between China and Russia was put to use, said the International Herald Leader, published under Xinhua. It is meant to send a signal to the United States that there is much more trust between China and Russia. A military hotline with the U.S. is expected soon. However Chinese military experts have said that the two hotlines serve different purposes. The China-Russia military hotline is to improve communications and coordination on major international and regional issues, while the China-U.S. military hotline is to establish a dialogue to resolve potential crises between the two.
Source: Xinhua, March 18, 2008
http://news.xinhuanet.com/mil/2008-03/18/content_7811142.htm