The Ministry of Defense's technical department is working with its US counterpart to smooth out the glitches holding up the opening of direct links between the two ministries, a senior official said yesterday.
They are working on the text of the agreement, Major General Ding Jingong, vice-director of the ministry's foreign affairs office, told reporters, adding that he hoped the two sides can reach consensus on the agreement at an early date.
"We believe direct telephone links will strengthen trust between the two militaries and intensify cooperation on major issues so as to be conducive to the smooth development of military ties," Ding said.
China hopes frequent high-level visits and exchanges in a range of fields will help increase understanding and trust between the two militaries, he said.
"The US side is distrustful of the Chinese military and this has affected the development of military ties between the two countries," he said.
Ding said the "biggest obstacle" to Sino-US military ties is the Taiwan question.
But he said Timothy Keating, commander-in-chief of the US Pacific Command who is in China for a four-day visit, made "positive" remarks on the issue, which will play a constructive role in deepening bilateral military ties.
During a meeting with top Chinese officials, Keating said the Pacific Command was highly concerned over the development of the cross-Straits situation and hoped the region maintained peace and stability, reaffirming the US government remained unchanged on its one-China policy.
Speaking at a news conference in Beijing, Keating said China's "peaceful rise and harmonious development" are "laudable goals". "Chinese military emphasizes their desire to protect those things that they think are theirs, and nothing more," Keating said.
"They specifically mention no hegemonic intentions, and they do not have any expansion strategy."
Keating also said the US had "proposed" China's participation in the multilateral military exercise named "Cobra Gold" to be held in Thailand in May.
"Our Chinese colleagues said they will entertain that," Keating said.
He also said he was involved as "a Kitty Hawk battle commander in 1999 in a Chinese-US military exercise".
"We have been doing this for years," Keating said.
But in the future, "we specifically emphasize increasing not just the quantity of exercises but the sophistication of the exercises".
"And our Chinese colleagues accept that recommendation."
Keating yesterday visited the Academy of Military Sciences of the PLA, a military think tank in Beijing, and held talks with faculty of the academy. The discussions focused on bilateral military exchanges as well as the cross-Straits situation.
Keating will visit Shanghai and Guangzhou, where he is scheduled to visit PLA military bases and hold a seminar with Chinese military officials.
Source: China Daily
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