China, US agree to deepen military dialogue, but concerns remain
CHINA, China and the United States agreed Monday to open a defence
"hotline," deepen dialogue on nuclear issues, and increase military
exchanges, but US concerns over the rapid Chinese military build-up
remain.
In talks with Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan to kick off his two-day
China trip, US Defence Secretary Robert Gates also sought to persuade
Beijing to back tougher economic sanctions against Iran over its nuclear
programme.
Both said they had agreed to expand educational exchanges and
military cooperation, including plans for a joint naval exercise "at a
proper time" and a direct telephone link between the US and Chinese
defence establishments.
Cao described the talks as "pragmatic and productive."
Gates also pointed to constructive dialogue but emphasised the need
for greater clarity on the part of the Chinese about a rapid military
build-up that US officials believe is altering the balance of power in
the region.
"I raised with Minister Cao the uncertainty over China's military
modernisation, and the need for greater transparency to allay
international concerns," Gates said at a joint news conference.
"China's increasing political and economic stature calls for this
country to take on a greater share of responsibility for the health and
success of the international system." Nevertheless, Gates said there was
common ground on how the two nations' militaries could work more
closely.
"We discussed the value of deeper dialogue on our respective
strategic modernisation programmes, and the importance of discussing in
greater depth and greater detail nuclear policy, strategy and programmes
on both sides," he said.
"This is part of the agreement to deepen the dialogue we've had. I
believe that this will provide the opportunity at least for us to
address the issues of transparency that we've discussed in the past."
The underlying US aim in seeking such a dialogue is to avoid a
miscalculation between the two nuclear powers, a senior US defence
official said. China has stated that its annual military budget rose
17.8 percent this year to 45 billion dollars.
But the Pentagon believes China's military spending is as high as 125
billion dollars a year.
Among the other concerns, Gates said, was a Chinese anti-satellite
test in January that sounded alarm bells about Beijing's intentions.
Beijing, Tuesday, AFP
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