Sino-US Defense Consultations Conducive to Bilateral RelationsThe fourth Sino-US defense consultations held in Beijing Wednesday and Thursday have enhanced trust and understanding between the two sides, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Thursday, November 30.Briefing on the press conference, the spokesman said that the consultations will help reduce difference, expand consensus and promote relations between the Chinese and US armed forces. Under Secretary of the US Department of Defense Walter B. Slocombe arrived in Beijing Tuesday at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense to co-chair the fourth Sino-US defense consultations with Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said Zhang. She said the two sides exchanged views on international and regional security, Sino-US relations and exchanges between the two armed forces in the coming year. Xiong briefed the guests on the recently published white paper entitled China's National Defense in 2000. She commented that the consultations were held in a "cordial and friendly" atmosphere. The defense consultations between the defense departments of the two countries were established by the two heads of State during Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit to the U.S. in 1997. The first three consultations were held in 1997, 1998 and early 2000 respectively. Sino-US Defense Talks Promote TiesChina and the United States have agreed that the fourth defense consultations between their defense departments have enhanced mutual trust and understanding, and will help reduce differences, expand consensus and promote relations between the two armed forces.The fourth defense consultations, held in Beijing Wednesday and Thursday, November 30, were co-chaired by Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and Walter B. Slocombe, under secretary of the US Department of Defense. During the consultations, the two sides exchanged views on international and regional security, Sino-US relations and other issues of common concern. Xiong reiterated China's stand on the Taiwan issue and briefed the guests on the recently published white paper entitled "China's National Defense in 2000". The two sides made positive comments on this year's relations between the two armed forces and held discussions on their military exchanges scheduled for next year. |
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