Lankan Ranger
ELITE MEMBER
- Joined
- Aug 9, 2009
- Messages
- 12,550
- Reaction score
- 0
China & U.S. hold defense consultations on controlling risks
China and the United States on Wednesday held their 12th round of defense consultations in a bid to control risks and avoid miscalculation between their militaries.
"The fact that the consultations took place as scheduled shows that both countries are sincere about maintaining military exchanges," Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said at the start of the annual consultations.
Ma hailed the consultations, which began in 1997 following an agreement between former President Jiang Zemin and his U.S. counterpart Bill Clinton, as one of the earliest and well-run mechanisms that both militaries have been committed to.
China is always supportive of the development of China-U.S. military relations and spares no effort on it, said Ma, noting that a healthy and stable relationship between the two militaries helps control crisis and prevent risks.
However, the military relationship between the two sides has not been always smooth sailing in recent years.
On Jan. 30, 2010, Washington announced a 6.4-billion-USD arms sale package for Taiwan, which led to limited military contact between China and the United States for almost a year, until the then secretary of Defense Robert Gates visited China this January.
The consultations marked the first engagement between the defense ministries of both countries since the United States in September announced its 5.85-billion-dollar arms sale to Taiwan, including upgrades for 145 of Taiwan's fighter jets.
China vehemently opposed the sale, saying it created severe obstacles for normal military-to-military exchanges.
Although the consultations took place as scheduled, the issue of arms sale to Taiwan could not be evaded, said Luo Yuan, a researcher with the PLA's Military Science Academy.
Ma urged the U.S side to remove the obstacle to push forward China-U.S. military relations during the consultations, according to a press release provided by the Defense Ministry.
The arms sale to Taiwan acts to restrict the two militaries' contacts, and close-in reconnaissance activities by U.S aircraft and ships remain major obstacles, Ma said.
Michele Flournoy, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense, who leads the U.S. delegation, said at the start of the consultations that the United States looks forward to having the opportunity to "candidly discuss differences."
The press release did not provide Flournoy's remarks on the arms sale, saying that the consultations was held in a "straightforward and constructive atmosphere" and "achieved the expected purpose."
The two sides also exchanged views on "common security challenges and relevant international and regional issues" during the consultations, the press release stated.
Close communication on international and regional affairs could help the two sides dismiss doubt and enhance trust, said Luo Yuan, noting that China and the United States both play crucial roles on the world stage.
"With our joint efforts, we hope we can make positive contributions to China-U.S. relations, one of the most important bilateral relations in the world," Ma said.
China-U.S. cooperation not only affects bilateral ties, but also impacts the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole, he said.
Flournoy said a healthy, stable and reliable military relationship is significant to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.
It is totally wrong to say "conflict between the U.S and China is inevitable," she said.
The U.S. delegation consists of nearly 20 representatives from the U.S. Defense Department, the State Department, the Joint Chiefs Staff, the Pacific Command, Navy and Air Force. They will leave Beijing on Thursday.
China, U.S. hold defense consultations on controlling risks
China and the United States on Wednesday held their 12th round of defense consultations in a bid to control risks and avoid miscalculation between their militaries.
"The fact that the consultations took place as scheduled shows that both countries are sincere about maintaining military exchanges," Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said at the start of the annual consultations.
Ma hailed the consultations, which began in 1997 following an agreement between former President Jiang Zemin and his U.S. counterpart Bill Clinton, as one of the earliest and well-run mechanisms that both militaries have been committed to.
China is always supportive of the development of China-U.S. military relations and spares no effort on it, said Ma, noting that a healthy and stable relationship between the two militaries helps control crisis and prevent risks.
However, the military relationship between the two sides has not been always smooth sailing in recent years.
On Jan. 30, 2010, Washington announced a 6.4-billion-USD arms sale package for Taiwan, which led to limited military contact between China and the United States for almost a year, until the then secretary of Defense Robert Gates visited China this January.
The consultations marked the first engagement between the defense ministries of both countries since the United States in September announced its 5.85-billion-dollar arms sale to Taiwan, including upgrades for 145 of Taiwan's fighter jets.
China vehemently opposed the sale, saying it created severe obstacles for normal military-to-military exchanges.
Although the consultations took place as scheduled, the issue of arms sale to Taiwan could not be evaded, said Luo Yuan, a researcher with the PLA's Military Science Academy.
Ma urged the U.S side to remove the obstacle to push forward China-U.S. military relations during the consultations, according to a press release provided by the Defense Ministry.
The arms sale to Taiwan acts to restrict the two militaries' contacts, and close-in reconnaissance activities by U.S aircraft and ships remain major obstacles, Ma said.
Michele Flournoy, U.S. Undersecretary of Defense, who leads the U.S. delegation, said at the start of the consultations that the United States looks forward to having the opportunity to "candidly discuss differences."
The press release did not provide Flournoy's remarks on the arms sale, saying that the consultations was held in a "straightforward and constructive atmosphere" and "achieved the expected purpose."
The two sides also exchanged views on "common security challenges and relevant international and regional issues" during the consultations, the press release stated.
Close communication on international and regional affairs could help the two sides dismiss doubt and enhance trust, said Luo Yuan, noting that China and the United States both play crucial roles on the world stage.
"With our joint efforts, we hope we can make positive contributions to China-U.S. relations, one of the most important bilateral relations in the world," Ma said.
China-U.S. cooperation not only affects bilateral ties, but also impacts the Asia-Pacific region and the world as a whole, he said.
Flournoy said a healthy, stable and reliable military relationship is significant to peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific.
It is totally wrong to say "conflict between the U.S and China is inevitable," she said.
The U.S. delegation consists of nearly 20 representatives from the U.S. Defense Department, the State Department, the Joint Chiefs Staff, the Pacific Command, Navy and Air Force. They will leave Beijing on Thursday.
China, U.S. hold defense consultations on controlling risks
