Senior U.S. naval officers visited China's lone aircraft carrier this week, China's military said, as the two powers try to counter mounting tensions between them over Beijing's claims in disputed waters in the South China Sea.

The visit by the 27-member delegation of U.S. naval captains to the Liaoning, a refitted former Soviet carrier, came as Washington considers sailing warships through international waters claimed by China, a move that would infuriate Beijing.

The U.S. captains exchanged views with their Chinese peers on topics such as "personnel training and management, medical support and aircraft carrier development strategy," the Chinese navy's official microblog said late Monday.