Visit opens door in US military ties

China and the United States agreed on Tuesday to conduct joint naval maritime search-and-rescue exercises later this year, focusing on ways the US and Chinese can operate safely together.

The two sides also agreed to co-operate on military archive information involving US personnel missing in action, and promote exchanges between military academies and officers.

The agreements were reached after General Guo Boxiong, vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission, met US Defence Secretary Donald Rumsfeld at the Pentagon on Tuesday.

At a welcoming ceremony on the steps of the Pentagon, Guo and Rumsfeld shook hands and briefly exchanged small talk. An Air Force band played each nation's anthem before the two men went inside for a working lunch.

Guo is the highest-ranking military officer from China to visit the United States since 2001.

At the talks, the two had an in-depth exchange of views on the international and regional security situations, the relationships between the two countries and their armies.

Guo said his six-day visit, which will end on Saturday, aims to implement the consensus reached by President Hu Jintao and his US counterpart George W. Bush on increasing exchanges and co-operation between the two armed forces during Hu's US visit in April.

He expressed the hope that his visit would help enhance mutual understanding and trust, foster friendship and deepen the relationship between the armed forces.

Guo and Rumsfeld agreed in principle to continue expanding military-to-military contacts, said a senior US defence official who refused to be named.

"They're very stable, very steady and they're expanding, and they have high political impetus from both sides," said the Pentagon official, describing bilateral military ties.

China agreed in June to join the United States in a search-and-rescue exercise, and the two countries planned to conduct several phases of drills under their bilateral Military Maritime Consultative Agreement, he said.

Later in the day, Guo met with US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.

During the two meetings, Guo stressed that both the Chinese people and China's military attach great importance to the Taiwan issue.

He expressed the hope that the US side will honour its commitment to opposing "Taiwan independence" and not send wrong signals to Taiwan's secessionists.

During the meetings, the US side said Washington will not change its stance on the one-China policy and is opposed to attempts by Taiwan authorities to unilaterally change the status quo.

Wang Yusheng, an expert on international relations, said Guo's visit signals a major step towards establishing a comprehensive military relationship.

Su Hao, a military researcher at China Foreign Affairs University, said Sino-US military ties have come back to normal after it was cut in 2001, when a Chinese fighter jet was hit by a US spy plane over the South China Sea.

"The complicated international situation demands that major powers to work out an efficient military co-ordination mechanism," Su said. "The rule apparently applies to China and the United States."

He said Guo's tour reflects China's active and friendly attitudes towards the United States.

On Tuesday evening, General Peter Pace, chairman of the US Joint Chief of Staff, hosted a dinner for Guo.

On Monday, he made a stopover in San Diego, where he visited the US aircraft carrier Ronald Reagan and the Third US Navy Fleet.

He was also scheduled to make a visit to the US Military Academy in West Point, New York, today.

Source: China Daily, Xinhua/agencies