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US urges China military dialogue | US urges China military dialogue |
(about 6 hours later) | |
US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has called for a lasting dialogue with China's military after meeting a top Chinese general at the Pentagon. | US Defence Secretary Robert Gates has called for a lasting dialogue with China's military after meeting a top Chinese general at the Pentagon. |
A Pentagon spokesman said Mr Gates told China's Gen Xu Caihou the two sides should "break the on-again, off-again cycle" in their military relationship. | A Pentagon spokesman said Mr Gates told China's Gen Xu Caihou the two sides should "break the on-again, off-again cycle" in their military relationship. |
The talks marked the highest bilateral military contact since 2006. | The talks marked the highest bilateral military contact since 2006. |
Last year, Beijing halted military dialogue with Washington to protest against US arms sales to Taiwan. | Last year, Beijing halted military dialogue with Washington to protest against US arms sales to Taiwan. |
China has also criticised US surveillance of waters off the Chinese coast. | |
'Obstacles' | 'Obstacles' |
"There is a need to break the on-again-off-again cycle of our military-to-military relationship," said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, briefing reporters on Mr Gates' talks with Gen Xu, vice-chairman of the People's Liberation Army Central Military Commission. | "There is a need to break the on-again-off-again cycle of our military-to-military relationship," said Pentagon spokesman Geoff Morrell, briefing reporters on Mr Gates' talks with Gen Xu, vice-chairman of the People's Liberation Army Central Military Commission. |
China has been rapidly expanding its armed forces | China has been rapidly expanding its armed forces |
In the past, there had been progress "and then there will be a hiccup that will cause there to be a suspension" in military co-operation, Mr Morell said. | In the past, there had been progress "and then there will be a hiccup that will cause there to be a suspension" in military co-operation, Mr Morell said. |
The spokesman described the talks as "productive", adding that Mr Gates accepted Gen Xu's invitation to visit China. | The spokesman described the talks as "productive", adding that Mr Gates accepted Gen Xu's invitation to visit China. |
Meanwhile, US officials - who were speaking on the condition of anonymity - said Gen Xu was open to boosting military co-operation, but reiterated "obstacles" to deepening ties, such as the presence of US surveillance ships off China's coast. | Meanwhile, US officials - who were speaking on the condition of anonymity - said Gen Xu was open to boosting military co-operation, but reiterated "obstacles" to deepening ties, such as the presence of US surveillance ships off China's coast. |
Speaking earlier this week, Gen Xu said that China did not want "hegemony" or an arms race. | Speaking earlier this week, Gen Xu said that China did not want "hegemony" or an arms race. |
Washington has repeatedly urged China to be more open about its rapidly rising military spending. | Washington has repeatedly urged China to be more open about its rapidly rising military spending. |
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