May 08, 2012 PTI
WASHINGTON: Noting that the US and China are both Pacific powers and their relationship is one of the most critical
in the world, the defence ministers of two countries - meeting for the first time in Washington in nine years - have committed
themselves to a healthy, stable, reliable and continuous military to military relationship.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and his Chinese counterpart General Liang Guanglie made the pledge of their commitment
during the joint conference at the Pentagon after their meeting.
"We recognise that the US and China will not always agree on every issue. But we believe our military-to-military dialogue is
critical to ensuring that we avoid dangerous misunderstandings and misperceptions that could lead to crisis." "A positive,
cooperative, comprehensive United States - China relationship is absolutely essential to achieving a secure Asia-Pacific region
and a more secure future for both of our nations," Panetta said.
Liang said he had a meeting with Panetta in an atmosphere of candidness and friendship. "Both sides reaffirmed the China-US
military-to-military relationship as an essential component of bilateral relations, and have committed to building a sound, stable
and reliable military-to-military relationship in accordance with President Hu Jintao and President Barack Obama's shared vision
for a China-US cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit," he said.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=16945670214fa8a4b993f3b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/16945670214fa8a4b993f3b.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
WASHINGTON: Noting that the US and China are both Pacific powers and their relationship is one of the most critical
in the world, the defence ministers of two countries - meeting for the first time in Washington in nine years - have committed
themselves to a healthy, stable, reliable and continuous military to military relationship.
US Defence Secretary Leon Panetta and his Chinese counterpart General Liang Guanglie made the pledge of their commitment
during the joint conference at the Pentagon after their meeting.
"We recognise that the US and China will not always agree on every issue. But we believe our military-to-military dialogue is
critical to ensuring that we avoid dangerous misunderstandings and misperceptions that could lead to crisis." "A positive,
cooperative, comprehensive United States - China relationship is absolutely essential to achieving a secure Asia-Pacific region
and a more secure future for both of our nations," Panetta said.
Liang said he had a meeting with Panetta in an atmosphere of candidness and friendship. "Both sides reaffirmed the China-US
military-to-military relationship as an essential component of bilateral relations, and have committed to building a sound, stable
and reliable military-to-military relationship in accordance with President Hu Jintao and President Barack Obama's shared vision
for a China-US cooperative partnership based on mutual respect and mutual benefit," he said.
<a href="http://s1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/?action=view&current=16945670214fa8a4b993f3b.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i1267.photobucket.com/albums/jj559/365Wildfire/16945670214fa8a4b993f3b.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket"></a>
