Chinese, US defense ministries hold first special policy dialogue

The first special policy dialogue between the Chinese Ministry of Defense and its US counterpart began in Beijing on January 31, reflecting warming ties between the two major military powers.

This two-day closed door talk involved Zhang Bangdong, director of the Foreign Affairs Office (FAO) of Chinese Defense Ministry, and Richard Lawless, deputy under secretary of US Defense Ministry, who is responsible for the Asia Pacific region.

"It was a candid and pragmatic talk, with the United States introducing its global military deployment and China enunciating on its military modernization building," said a Chinese side spokesman Tu Qiming, who gave a media briefing later Monday afternoon.

"We also exchanged views on the Taiwan issue and maritime military security," said Tu, who is a director responsible for American and Oceanic affairs at FAO.

When asked whether US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld will visit China this year, Tu said Rumsfeld expressed the interest, but the exact date was still under discussion.

"Both sides agreed to promote their military ties through more pragmatic exchanges," Tu said.

This year will see the exchange of top military officials, professional staffs and military institutions between China and the United States, Tu said.

Citing the on-going communication between the two ministries as "smooth," Tu said installing a hotline between the two ministries is under discussion.

The United States hopes for "real progress" on a wide range of military issues, Lawless said piror to the meeting officially started.

After the meeting, Lawless declined to be interviewed. Also, no other US officials released any details of the meeting.

Source: Xinhua