SHENYANG: Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral William Fallon yesterday
expressed hope for heightened Sino-US relations.
"The challenge for US and China is complex, but I am optimistic about the
future," he said at a press briefing in the Northeast city of Shenyang.
Fallon arrived in China last Tuesday for talks with senior Chinese military
officials. During the visit, he also visited military academies and facilities
in Xi'an, Hangzhou and Shenyang.
This is Fallon's second visit to China since he assumed his post in February
2005. He paid his first visit to China in September that year.
"I can think of no other issue that looks as big as the relationship between
US and China. China's large population, culture and economy make it a top
priority. This is why I took the opportunity to come back again," said Fallon.
During the past week, Fallon has had full contact with persons from military,
academic and diplomatic backgrounds.
"I come to China again to continue the work we began last year," said Fallon.
Fallon met Chinese Defence Minister Cao Gangchuan last Wednesday in Beijing
and both agreed to step up military exchanges at all levels, Xinhua News Agency
reported.
Since taking his position last year, Fallon has repeatedly called for a full
restoration of contacts between the US and Chinese militaries.
"I have pushed for renewed military contacts because I think it is important
to understand one another better," Fallon said.
Sino-US military ties were broken off in 2001 when a Chinese fighter aircraft
was rammed by a US reconnaissance plane over the South China Sea.
Fallon said he hoped for more exchange of mid-level officers as well as
high-level discussions.
But he rejected the idea of a hotline between Chinese and US defence
ministries.
"I would prefer to use a traditional telephone, " he said jokingly.
