U.S. commits to boosting China ties through exchanges, cooperation

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U.S. commits to boosting China ties through exchanges, cooperation

(Xinhua) 08:46, August 21, 2013

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WASHINGTON, Aug. 20 -- U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice has reaffirmed a U.S. commitment to push forward U.S.-China relations through bilateral exchanges and cooperation, including military contacts.

Rice made the pledge when she met visiting Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan at the White House on Monday, during which they discussed a wide range of issues, such as the situation on the Korean Peninsula and cyber security.

Rice congratulated Chang on the successful talks he held with his U.S. counterpart, Chuck Hagel, at the Pentagon earlier Monday, and the agreements reached by the two sides on enhancing exchanges and cooperation between the two militaries.

Chang hailed the consensus reached by Chinese President Xi Jinping and his U.S. counterpart, Barack Obama, at the June summit in California on seeking to build a new type of major country relationship based on mutual respect and cooperation as a "strategic choice" aimed at avoiding a repetition of the history of confrontation between an established power and a rising one.

He vowed to work together with the U.S. side to play an active role in building that new type relations, by turning the important consensus into specific policies and actions by the two defense departments and militaries.

Earlier Monday, Chang and Hagel held a "candid and deepened" exchange of views over national and military relations, international and regional security issues, and other issues of common concern.

In order to cement trust between the two militaries, they agreed to boost cooperation, expand defense exchanges and hold more joint exercises.

Hagel accepted Chang's invitation to visit China next year. Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, also offered to host his Chinese counterpart, Fang Fenghui, next year.

Meanwhile, Chang announced the Chinese navy would join the RIM of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC) for the first time next year at the invitation of the United States.

Held biennially during June and July of even-numbered years in Honolulu, Hawaii, the U.S.-led RIMPAC is the world's largest international maritime warfare exercise.

Also on Monday, the two militaries held a meeting in Hawaii to discuss cooperation on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief. This weekend, the Chinese and U.S navies will conduct their second counter-piracy exercise in the Gulf of Aden.

Hagel and Chang also discussed other regional security issues, including the situation on the Korean Peninsula, East and South China Seas, and cyber security.

Chang started his U.S. visit Friday in Hawaii, where he held talks with U.S. Commander of the Pacific Command Samuel Locklear. Over the weekend, he also met Charles Jacoby, commander of the North American Aerospace Defense Command and the U.S. Northern Command, both headquartered in Colorado Springs, Colorado.