Chinese Defense Minister Meets Former US Defense Secretary

Home>>China

Last updated at: (Beijing Time) Friday, November 22, 2002

Chinese Defense Minister Meets Former US Defense Secretary

Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian met Friday with former US Defense Secretary William James Perry.

DISCUSSION

CHINESE

SEND TO FRIEND

Chinese Defense Minister Chi Haotian met Friday with former US Defense Secretary William James Perry.

Chi, also vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission of the People's Republic of China and state councilor, said the soundand stable development of Sino-US relations is in the fundamental interest of both peoples and is of great importance to the peace and stability of the Asia-Pacific region and the world at large.

Chi said Chinese President Jiang Zemin and US President George W. Bush reached important consensus on the development of constructive and cooperative relations during their three meetingsthis year, noting the meetings are significant to the promotion ofsuch relations.

The good momentum gained in the development of bilateral relations is also beneficial for both countries, he said.

Properly handling the Taiwan issue is the key to maintaining sound and stable Sino-US relations, Chi said, stressing China hopes the United States will abide by its commitments made on the Taiwan issue, play a constructive role in the peaceful reunification of China's mainland and Taiwan and cease to give wrong signals to the forces that attempt "Taiwan independence".

China firmly opposes all words and deeds aimed at creating "Taiwan independence", "two Chinas" or "one China, one Taiwan", he said, adding the People's Liberation Army (PLA) fully supports theefforts by the Chinese government to realize peaceful reunification and also is making the necessary preparations to stop any schemes of "Taiwan Independence".

Currently, the armed forces of China and the United States are discussing exchange programs, and their relations face opportunities of improvement and development. China is willing to expand cooperation and exchanges of the armed forces on the basis of mutual respect and mutual benefit, he said.

China has a positive attitude towards the development of military relations with the United States and is ready to implement the consensus reached by the two presidents, Chi said.

Perry said the delegates have chosen a good time for this visit,as the 16th National Congress of the Communist Party of China has just successfully concluded and the bilateral relations of the twohave been upgraded to a new level.

The bilateral relations between the United States and China arebased on cooperation instead of competition, in line with the national security strategy of the United States. Military exchanges between the two countries could be gradually institutionalized in the future, he said.

The delegation is here at the invitation of the China Foundation for International and Strategic Studies.

Questions?Comments? Click here

CPC Elects a Young, Competent Team of Leaders: Jiang

Cabbage Tells Changes of Beijingers' Life ( 12 Messages)

A 'Xiaokang' Society Means Not Merely Money ( 5 Messages)

China Starts Working out Law on Citizen ID Card ( 33 Messages)

Differences between US and NATO Widen: Opinion ( 2 Messages)

Sino-US Relations Improve Despite Neo-realism ( 27 Messages)