Rumsfeld says China's military development "understandable"

US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld left China Thursday with certain understanding of China's efforts to develop national defense, said a Chinese Defense Ministry official.

The US defense secretary has drawn a clear idea in his three-day China visit that it is "natural" for China to develop its armed forces, improve armaments and carry out military modernization, said Zhang Bangdong, director of the ministry's Foreign Affairs Office.

Zhang also quoted Rumsfeld as saying he hoped the Chinese armed forces would "increase transparency".

During the visit, the first since Rumsfeld became defense secretary,Chinese President Hu Jintao, Vice-Chairman of the Central Military Commission Guo Boxiong and Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan met or held talks with him.

Both sides agreed that the two militaries should seek common ground while reserving differences, and promote exchanges in the forms of academy education, personnel exchanges and fleet visits.

"The two sides expressed the willingness to further promote China-US friendly military cooperative ties," Zhang said at a press briefing after Rumsfeld's departure.

The Chinese leaders expounded on the importance of China-US military relations, and briefed Rumsfeld of China's principled stance on the Taiwan issue, China's defensive national defense policy and its stand on maintaining world peace and the fight against terror.

Rumsfeld also said on many occasions that he wanted to see a "peaceful and prosperous" China, and hoped China would play its role as a responsible country in international affairs.

During the visit, Rumsfeld also visited the Academy of Military Sciences and the Second Artillery Force of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), and exchanged views with Jing Zhiyuan, commander of the force.

"It is the first time that the PLA Second Artillery Force was open to a foreign military leader, which fully demonstrates the opening of the Chinese armed forces," Zhang said.

The two sides reached a consensus on many issues during the visit, which Rumsfeld described as being "constructive" and "fruitful" and said would play an important role in developing US-China military ties.

"Of course, the US side still has doubts on China's peaceful development, armament building and military spending," Zhang said, adding that Chinese leaders have given explanations of these issues.

Hu stresses the importance and great potential of China-US military relations, and urged the two sides to increase military exchanges. Guo Boxiong briefed Rumsfeld of China's domestic and foreign policies and the wish to upgrade military relations with the United States. Cao Gangchuan gave the US defense secretary "convincing" and "detailed" introduction to China's military building and spending, and responded to some untrue comments that exaggerated the country's military spending.

As for the differences between China and the United States on some issues, Zhang said they just highlight the necessity that the two side should increase exchanges and cooperation so as to learn more about each other.

"These differences will not hinder the development of China-US military relations," Zhang said, adding that the two sides should vigorously promote exchanges in a long-term perspective.

Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesman Kong Quan also gave his view on Rumsfeld's China visit, hoping it could help the two sides to have an all-round and objective understanding of each other.

"The two sides should transform their words into real action, and make the development of Sino-US military ties consistent with that of overall bilateral relations," the spokesman said at a regular press conference Thursday afternoon.

"It is legitimate that China strengthen national defense, and it should arouse no doubt or worry," he said.

According to the spokesman, Chinese leaders have urged the US side to handle properly and cautiously the Taiwan issue, which concerns China's sovereignty and territorial integrity.

China firm opposes the US visit of Li Teng-hui, a "Taiwan independence" advocator who attempts to harm relations across the Taiwan Straits, China-US relations and peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

"We have lodged solemn representations to the US side and hope the US side would keep its word to adhere to the one-China policy, abide by the three China-US joint communiques and oppose 'Taiwan independence', and correct its wrongdoing and stop giving any misleading signals to the separatist forces of 'Taiwan independence'," the spokesman said.

Source: Xinhua