Timothy Keating, commander-in-chief of the US Pacific Command,
repeated the US readiness to promote military ties with China on
Wednesday upon concluding his four-day China tour.
Keating left Guangzhou, capital of the southern Guangdong
Province, on Wednesday afternoon. Before that, he met with Zhang
Qinsheng, commander of Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA)
Guangzhou Military Area Command.
Keating told Zhang he has a very strong will to promote the
development of ties between the two armed forces and he hoped both
sides can strengthen understanding and expand cooperation in more
fields.
Zhang hailed the "sound and steady" development of China-US
military ties in recent years, saying he believed the two armed
forces can further enhance mutual understanding and trust through
joint efforts.
He reiterated the government's position on the Taiwan issue,
saying China will by no means tolerate "Taiwan independence" and
never allow any one to separate Taiwan from China in any name or by
any means.
Keating also gave a speech at a navy command college in
Guangzhou in which he said the United States hopes to develop
exchanges and cooperation with Asia-Pacific nations, including
China, to jointly safeguard peace and stability in the region.
The US military official arrived in Beijing on Sunday afternoon
for the visit, which also took him to Shanghai. This wash is second
visit since last May.
The trip came as part of increasing high-level military
exchanges between China and the United States.
(Xinhua News Agency January 17, 2008)
