China would like to work with the United States to build a new type of military relations featuring equality, mutual benefit, cooperation and common prosperity, a senior Chinese general said during talks with the visiting U.S. counterpart on Monday.
Fang Fenghui, chief of the general staff of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army, called on the two militaries to increase dialogues and consultations, build trust, deepen pragmatic cooperation, respect each other’s core interests, remove obstacles in military relations, manage crisis and effectively respond to security risks.
Martin Dempsey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, recalled his phone discussions with Fang last month, reaffirming his commitment to work together to improve bilateral military ties.
He arrived in Beijing on Sunday for a five-day visit, the first since he took office as the highest-ranking U.S. military officer in 2011.
Dempsey expressed condolences to the families of casualties in Saturday’s devastating earthquake in southwest China’s Sichuan Province.
He also appreciated Chinese military’s rapid response to the earthquake.
Dempsey called on the two militaries to respect each other, increase communications and jointly deal with global challenges.
The pair also discussed issues concerning Taiwan, the Diaoyu Islands, South China Sea, Korean Peninsula situation and cyber security.
Following the talks, Fang and Dempsey gave a joint press conference.
Dempsey also called for the two militaries to positively interact in the Asia and Pacific region, step up their cooperation in combating against terrorism and piracy, as well as working together on humanitarian rescue and disaster relief missions.
The armies of the two countries will hold a joint drill on humanitarian rescue and disaster relief in 2013. A joint anti-piracy drill between the navies in the Gulf of Aden will also be carried out, Fang said.
Dempsey said talks with Fang were “productive,” calling for a “better,deeper and more enduring” military relationship with China.
“We seek to be a stabilising influence in the region,” Dempsey said.
During his five-day stay in Beijing, Dempsey is scheduled to meet with other military leaders and visit military academies.
Via: http://www.china.org.cn/
