Top U.S. general sees no threat from China http://news.xinhuanet.com/english/2007-03/23/content_5888007.htm
2007-03-23
BEIJING, March 23 (Xinhua) -- Marine Gen. Peter Pace, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, on Friday said China poses no threat despite its enormous military capacity.
"I don't find a threat," Pace told a press briefing Friday at the U.S. Embassy in Beijing.
"When you analyze the potential of the threat, you look for two things: capacity and intent. Clearly, both China and the United States have enormous military capacity. But equally, neither country has the intent to create a war towards the other country," Pace said in response to a question whether China poses threat to the United States.
Invited by Chief of the General Staff of the People's Liberation Army (PLA) Liang Guanglie, Pace is the first high-ranking U.S. military officer to visit China this year.
On Thursday, Pace met separately with Guo Boxiong and Cao Gangchuan, both vice chairmen of the Central Military Commission (CMC), China's top military authority. He also held talks with Liang.
"We had very good, open, candid, calm discussions about things that are obstacles to us having closer military relations," Pace told reporters.
Pace said the two sides discussed other ways to "build trust and confidence," including observing each other's military exercises, cooperation in humanitarian efforts and exchanges of military officers.
In response to Xinhua's question whether the United States will proceed with plans to sell missiles to Taiwan, Pace said "I don't know the specifics of the particular arms arrangement."
In late February, the U.S. Department of Defense announced that it planned to sell to Taiwan more than 400 missiles worth 421 million U.S. dollars. The proposed sale will include Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air missiles, Maverick missiles, as well as spare parts and maintenance equipment.
Pace said, "I do know that my country is determined to help find a proper peaceful solution to the Taiwan issue."
He said the U.S. government would adhere to the one-China policy and three U.S.-China communiques.
Pace also held a seminar with researchers with the PLA Academy of Military Sciences on Friday.
The four-day visit will also take Pace to China's military areas and institutions. Pace will meet with leaders of the Shenyang and Nanjing Military Areas.
This is Pace's first China visit since he was sworn in as Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff in 2005
Editor: Gao Ying
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