China 'open' to military exchanges with US
(Xinhua)
Updated: 2006-06-23 09:30
China is "open" to military exchanges with the United States, and is willing
to promote bilateral defense and security cooperation, said Chinese State
Councilor Tang Jiaxuan in Bejing on Thursday.
Tang made the remarks when meeting with a delegation of the American Foreign
Policy Council led by Richard Myers, former chairman of the Joint Chiefs of
Staff of the US armed forces.
Tang said China, as a peace-loving country, always pursued a national defense
policy, which is defensive in nature. The Chinese government was willing to work
with the US side to expand exchanges and enhance mutual trust, so as to help
maintain the peace, stability and prosperity of the Asia-Pacific region and the
world as a whole.
The two sides also exchanged in-depth views on Sino-US relations and on
Taiwan issue.
Chinese President Hu Jintao paid a state visit to the United States in April
this year, which is of great importance to the development of bilateral
relations.
Tang said the Chinese government would make joint efforts with the US to
actively carry out the consensus achieved by the two presidents, take the common
interest of the two countries and each other's concerns into consideration,
strengthen dialogue, mutual trust and cooperation, and properly handle sensitive
issues, in a bid to advance constructive and cooperative relations.
Head of the International Department of the Communist Party of China Central
Committee Wang Jiarui also met with Myers on Thursday, and they exchanged views
on bilateral relations and international and regional issues of common concern.
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