US defense chief to visit China
Source: Xinhua |
December 28, 2010, Tuesday
|
Print Edition
Print Edition
UNITED States Defense Secretary Robert Gates is to visit China from January 9 to 12 next year, the National Defense Ministry said yesterday.
"Gates will make the visit at the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and National Defense Minister Liang Guanglie," a statement from the Foreign Affairs Office of the ministry said.
Although Gates' visit has long been under discussion, it is the first time that China has confirmed dates for his visit.
During his stay, Gates will meet Chinese leaders and exchange views with his Chinese counterpart on the international security situation, Sino-US bilateral and military ties, and issues of common concern, the statement said.
China hopes the visit can help the two militaries improve understanding and trust, properly handle conflicts and divergence, expand common interests and cooperation, so as to push forward bilateral military ties in a healthy and sustainable way.
Gates' visit will come almost a year after China cut off some military exchanges with the US in January, following the Pentagon's decision to sell an arms package to Taiwan worth nearly US$6.4 billion.
Chinese and US senior military officials began to re-engage with each other in the autumn.
In October, Liang held talks with Gates in Hanoi on the sideline of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting, during which Gates accepted Liang's invitation to visit China early next year.
China and the US held the 11th defense consultation in Washington on December 12.
"It is quite complicated as far as Gates' visit to China is concerned," said Luo Yuan, a research fellow with the PLA Academy of Military Science, "but the decision on the schedule concerning Gates' visit to China has showed China is firm with its stand on issues of principle on one hand and also demonstrated its flexibility on the other."
"Dialogue is better than confrontation," Luo said, calling Gates' visit to China "a rare opportunity to enhance communication between the militaries of the two countries."
China could take this opportunity to make clear its core interests and security concerns to the US side," hesaid, adding "the US could learn about China's stance and defense policies more directly and deeply."
"Gates will make the visit at the invitation of Chinese State Councilor and National Defense Minister Liang Guanglie," a statement from the Foreign Affairs Office of the ministry said.
Although Gates' visit has long been under discussion, it is the first time that China has confirmed dates for his visit.
During his stay, Gates will meet Chinese leaders and exchange views with his Chinese counterpart on the international security situation, Sino-US bilateral and military ties, and issues of common concern, the statement said.
China hopes the visit can help the two militaries improve understanding and trust, properly handle conflicts and divergence, expand common interests and cooperation, so as to push forward bilateral military ties in a healthy and sustainable way.
Gates' visit will come almost a year after China cut off some military exchanges with the US in January, following the Pentagon's decision to sell an arms package to Taiwan worth nearly US$6.4 billion.
Chinese and US senior military officials began to re-engage with each other in the autumn.
In October, Liang held talks with Gates in Hanoi on the sideline of an Association of Southeast Asian Nations meeting, during which Gates accepted Liang's invitation to visit China early next year.
China and the US held the 11th defense consultation in Washington on December 12.
"It is quite complicated as far as Gates' visit to China is concerned," said Luo Yuan, a research fellow with the PLA Academy of Military Science, "but the decision on the schedule concerning Gates' visit to China has showed China is firm with its stand on issues of principle on one hand and also demonstrated its flexibility on the other."
"Dialogue is better than confrontation," Luo said, calling Gates' visit to China "a rare opportunity to enhance communication between the militaries of the two countries."
China could take this opportunity to make clear its core interests and security concerns to the US side," hesaid, adding "the US could learn about China's stance and defense policies more directly and deeply."
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