China is ready to expand its military relations with the US on
the basis of mutual benefits and equal consultation, said Minister
of National Defense Cao Gangchuan in Beijing Tuesday.
Cao, also vice chairman of the Central Military Commission and a
state councilor, made the remarks during his meeting with a
delegation from the US-China Working Group under the US House of
Representatives.
Cao said Sino-US relations are on a sound development track and
the leaders of both nations have maintained close exchanges and
contacts.
Last year, President Hu Jintao and US President George W. Bush
met five times, and reached lots of consensus on promoting Sino-US
constructive cooperative ties, Cao noted.
Military ties serve as an important component part of the
overall Sino-US relationship, he underscored, adding that both
sides should make efforts to upgrade Sino-US military ties and make
it consistent with overall bilateral relations.
"We are glad to see our military ties gradually resume and
develop in recent years with joint efforts of both sides," Cao
acknowledged.
Last year, US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld paid a
successful visit to China. "His visit played a positive role in
strengthening mutual understanding and cementing our military
ties," Cao said.
China always holds a positive attitude toward developing
military ties with the US, and is ready to further expand military
exchanges between the two sides, he said.
In regard to the Taiwan issue, Cao said it concerns China's
sovereignty and territorial integrity and touches upon China's core
interest. To properly settle this issue is of vital importance to
the stable growth of Sino-US relations.
"We appreciate the US government for their repeated reiteration
of adhering to the one-China policy, abiding by the three Sino-US
joint communiqués and opposing 'Taiwan independence,'" he said,
hoping that the US side will honor its commitment and work with
China to oppose and curb Taiwan independence in bid to maintain
peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait.
Mark Steven Kirk and Rick Larsen, co-chairmen of the US-China
Working Group, said that they are willing to join hands with the
Chinese side to boost bilateral exchanges and cooperation in
various fields, and contribute to the improvement of bilateral
ties.
The delegation is visiting China at the invitation of the
Standing Committee of the National People's Congress.
(Xinhua News Agency January 11, 2006)
