China, US hold defense consultations
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China.org.cn, December 7, 2011
Senior military officials of China and the United States held their 12th round of defense consultations Wednesday in Beijing in a bid to control risks and avoid misunderstandings.
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Ma Xiaotian (R), deputy chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), meets Under Secretary of U.S. Defense Ministry Michele Flournoy at the annual round of defense consultations in Beijing on Dec. 7, 2011. |
Ma Xiaotian, deputy chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and Michele Flournoy, under secretary of Defense for Policy of the U.S. attended the consultations together.
Ma said "the fact that the consultations took place as scheduled shows both countries are sincere about maintaining military exchanges."
"Hopefully both sides will make the most of this opportunity to expand common ground, keep risks under control and avoid misunderstandings."
"With our joint efforts, we hope we can make positive contributions to China-U.S. relations, one of the most important bilateral relations in the world," he added.
He also hailed the consultations as one of the earliest and well-run mechanisms that both militaries have been committed to.
Echoed with Ma's remarks, Flournoy said the U.S. also placed great value on the meeting.
She said the consultations offered both a chance to "identify and agree on issues and interests that the two sides share."
She said she also looks forward to having the opportunity to "candidly discuss differences," and enhance the cooperation.
Leading by Flournoy, the U.S. delegation consists of nearly 20 representatives from its Defense Department, State Department, the Joint Staff, the Pacific Command, Navy and Air Force.
Consultation topics will include bilateral military relations and the U.S. arms sale to Taiwan, as well as piracy and regional situations in the Korean Peninsula, South China Sea, Middle East and North Africa, Pakistan and Afghanistan, Xinhua reported.
The consultations marked the first engagement between the defense ministries of both countries since the U.S. announced in September its US$5.85-billion arms sale to Taiwan, including upgrades for 145 of Taiwan's fighter jets.
The annual defense consultations began in 1997 following an agreement between former President Jiang Zemin and U.S. President Bill Clinton,
Flournoy and her delegation will leave Beijing on Thursday.
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