Sino-US relations the most important: Panetta

18 Septembre 2012 , Rédigé par ileridefense Publié dans #Asie

Washington wants to establish the most important bilateral relations in the world with China, with strong military ties as the key, US Defense Secretary Leon Panetta said on Tuesday.

China and the United States, two major powers in the Asia-Pacific region, share common concerns. The two sides want to send a positive message to the world that they are seeking "healthy, stable, reliable and continuous" relations, Panetta said during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Liang Guanglie.

The Pentagon chief arrived in Beijing on Monday evening, after visiting Tokyo, amid escalating tensions between China and Japan over the Diaoyu Islands and questions about whether the US is backing its ally Japan in the territorial disagreements.

The four-day visit is Panetta's first trip to China since he took office last year, and a reciprocal visit after Liang's visit to the US in May. A series of arrangements underlined Beijing's efforts to promote closer military relations and greater transparency between the two countries. To show China's respect to the former CIA director, Liang gave the floor to Panetta during the meeting instead of speaking first as the host, as is usual.

According to Liang, Panetta is scheduled to meet State Councilor Dai Bingguo and Vice-Chairman of China's Central Military Commission Xu Caihou on Tuesday. On Wednesday, he will meet Vice-President Xi Jinping and give a speech at a military academy in Beijing.

Panetta will also become the first US Defense secretary to visit the home of the Chinese navy's North Sea fleet in Qingdao, where he will tour warships and meet with cadets and the commander of the fleet.

"We hope the activities in China will promote Panetta's understanding of the Chinese military and of China, as well as boost the healthy development of bilateral military ties," said Liang.

Senior level exchanges are helpful to reduce the risk of miscalculations and to enhance trust between the two countries, Panetta said.

Panetta's third trip to Asia in 11 months highlights the US' strategic pivot to the Asia-Pacific region, the Associated Press said, as China is wary of the US' increasing military presence in the region and of the new radar system in Japan, which was announced on Monday.

ChinaDaily

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