China's military 'no threat to peace'
Source: Agencies |
June 6, 2011, Monday
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Print Edition
Print Edition
THE strength of China's armed forces is 20 years behind the United States and although the military is developing new capabilities, it is not a threat to peace in Asia, the defense minister said yesterday.
China's military won't be used aggressively against its neighbors, General Liang Guanglie told an Asian security conference in Singapore.
"I know many people tend to believe that with the growth of China's economy, China will become a military threat," Liang said. "China will never seek hegemony or military expansion."
He added: "This is a solemn pledge made by the Chinese government to the international community."
Liang, the highest-ranking Chinese military official to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, said the nation's capabilities remained far behind those of developed countries.
"Our defense force is more modern and developed. However, there still exists a big gap," he said. "There's a generational gap."
China is working with North Korean officials to try to revive stalled six-nation nuclear disarmament talks that involve the two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the US, Liang said.
"The work we have done with North Korea is much more than what the outside world may expect," he said. "We are trying to persuade them not to take risks."
Tensions between the two Koreas have jumped since two deadly attacks blamed on North Korea last year. North Korea has denied involvement in the sinking of a warship in March 2010 that killed 46 South Korean sailors and argued that a November artillery barrage that killed four people was provoked by South Korean firing drills.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin said on Saturday that any future attacks by North Korea would be met by a very strong response, and that North Korea was becoming increasingly bold in its provocations.
"The situation is moving toward relaxation, but the foundation remains fragile," Liang said. "We need to cool things down."
On Friday, Liang met with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Singapore amid increasing high-level contacts between the militaries of the two countries. Gates told Liang he believed the military-to-military relationship was "on a positive trajectory" after a series of setbacks in recent years.
China's military won't be used aggressively against its neighbors, General Liang Guanglie told an Asian security conference in Singapore.
"I know many people tend to believe that with the growth of China's economy, China will become a military threat," Liang said. "China will never seek hegemony or military expansion."
He added: "This is a solemn pledge made by the Chinese government to the international community."
Liang, the highest-ranking Chinese military official to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue, said the nation's capabilities remained far behind those of developed countries.
"Our defense force is more modern and developed. However, there still exists a big gap," he said. "There's a generational gap."
China is working with North Korean officials to try to revive stalled six-nation nuclear disarmament talks that involve the two Koreas, Japan, China, Russia and the US, Liang said.
"The work we have done with North Korea is much more than what the outside world may expect," he said. "We are trying to persuade them not to take risks."
Tensions between the two Koreas have jumped since two deadly attacks blamed on North Korea last year. North Korea has denied involvement in the sinking of a warship in March 2010 that killed 46 South Korean sailors and argued that a November artillery barrage that killed four people was provoked by South Korean firing drills.
South Korean Defense Minister Kim Kwan-jin said on Saturday that any future attacks by North Korea would be met by a very strong response, and that North Korea was becoming increasingly bold in its provocations.
"The situation is moving toward relaxation, but the foundation remains fragile," Liang said. "We need to cool things down."
On Friday, Liang met with US Defense Secretary Robert Gates in Singapore amid increasing high-level contacts between the militaries of the two countries. Gates told Liang he believed the military-to-military relationship was "on a positive trajectory" after a series of setbacks in recent years.
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