Chinese defense minister meets US defense secretary

Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan said here Wednesday that China is willing to make concerted efforts with the United States to implement the consensus on military exchanges reached between heads of the two countries.

"China holds a positive attitude toward the development of Sino-US military relations," Cao said in a meeting with visiting US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld Wednesday in Beijing. Their talks covered many issues of common concern.

Cao said that China-US relations are generally in good shape in recent years and leaders of two countries have maintained close exchange and communication. The two sides have made steady progress in the fields of economics and trade, law enforcement, science and technology, culture, education and military affairs.

The two sides have had productive consultation and coordination on significant international and regional issues such as anti-terrorism, Korean nuclear issue and Iraq's reconstruction, Cao added.

He recalled that Chinese president Hu Jintao and US President George W. Bush reached consensus on pushing forward the Sino-US constructive and cooperative ties in the 21st century in their meeting in New York not long ago.

China and the United States should substantially implement the consensus, enhance mutual trust and cooperation, advance the healthy and stable growth of Sino-US ties and contribute to the world peace, stability and prosperity, Cao said.

Sino-US military relationship is an important part of relations between the two countries. With joint efforts of defense departments of the two countries, the relations between the two armies have scored gradual recovery and development, Cao said.

"The two armies have maintained constant exchanges at high levels, among institutes and for navy vessel visits", Cao added.

The Taiwan issue concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity and touches upon China's core interest, Cao said.

"We appreciate President Bush and the US government for their repeated reiteration of sticking to the one-China policy, abiding by the three Sino-US joint communiques and opposing 'Taiwan independence'", he said.

China hopes the US side would honor its commitment and work with China to oppose and curb Taiwan independence in bid to maintain the peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits and in the Asia-Pacific region.

Cao also briefed the guests on the development of China's military forces.

Rumsfeld agreed with Cao on his appraisal on Sino-US military relations. He said both the United States and China are influential nations in the world. The cooperation of the two countries is conducive to world peace and prosperity. The relations between the two armies should be further improved.

Rumsfeld said the US government adheres to the one-China policy and will consistently abide by the three Sino-US joint communiques.

The two defence ministers agreed that their talks are "frank, constructive and fruitful."

Rumsfeld started his official visit to China as a guest of Cao Gangchuan on Oct. 18. He exchanged views with Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Dai Bingguo on issues of common concern in a meeting on the day of his arrival. He also visited the Party School of the Central Committee of the Chinese Communist Party.

Source: Xinhua