China postpones military exchanges with US
China postpones military exchanges with US
By Kathrin Hille in Beijing and Daniel Dombey in Beijing
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010
Published: February 25 2010 06:08 | Last updated: February 25 2010 06:08
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3590c6de-21c9-11df-acf4-00144feab49a.html
China has postponed several high-level military exchanges with the US, in the first tangible sign of retaliation over Washington’s decision to sell $6.4bn in arms to Taiwan.
”China has decided to suspend arrangements for some planned mutual visits between the US and the Chinese military,” a Chinese military spokesman said on Thursday.
“[China] routinely uses our military-to-military relationship to express displeasure,” said the spokesman. “Nevertheless, we are committed to maintaining a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship with China.”
China last week allowed the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier to dock at Hong Kong for a routine port visit, suggesting that Beijing might adopt a softer stance on the arms sales. At the same time, however, Chinese military officers who had been invited to a reception aboard the Nimitz declined to attend.
The suspension of military contacts will complicate the difficult task of building trust between the armed forces of the current sole global superpower and its future most likely challenger.
Next month, the Pentagon is due to release its annual report on the Chinese military – an exercise that regularly stresses concerns about Beijing’s military build-up. The report generally triggers an angry response from Beijing that the US is trying to demonise China.
The US military and the People’s Liberation Army in China have tried to broaden dialogue over the past few years through high-level visits, military student exchanges and port calls. Such contacts had recently been stepped up after China cut most military ties following the last major announcement by the US of arms sales to Taiwan in 2008.
Robert Gates, US defence secretary, and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, had been expected to visit China this year.
By Kathrin Hille in Beijing and Daniel Dombey in Beijing
Copyright The Financial Times Limited 2010
Published: February 25 2010 06:08 | Last updated: February 25 2010 06:08
http://www.ft.com/cms/s/0/3590c6de-21c9-11df-acf4-00144feab49a.html
China has postponed several high-level military exchanges with the US, in the first tangible sign of retaliation over Washington’s decision to sell $6.4bn in arms to Taiwan.
”China has decided to suspend arrangements for some planned mutual visits between the US and the Chinese military,” a Chinese military spokesman said on Thursday.
“[China] routinely uses our military-to-military relationship to express displeasure,” said the spokesman. “Nevertheless, we are committed to maintaining a positive, cooperative and comprehensive relationship with China.”
China last week allowed the USS Nimitz aircraft carrier to dock at Hong Kong for a routine port visit, suggesting that Beijing might adopt a softer stance on the arms sales. At the same time, however, Chinese military officers who had been invited to a reception aboard the Nimitz declined to attend.
The suspension of military contacts will complicate the difficult task of building trust between the armed forces of the current sole global superpower and its future most likely challenger.
Next month, the Pentagon is due to release its annual report on the Chinese military – an exercise that regularly stresses concerns about Beijing’s military build-up. The report generally triggers an angry response from Beijing that the US is trying to demonise China.
The US military and the People’s Liberation Army in China have tried to broaden dialogue over the past few years through high-level visits, military student exchanges and port calls. Such contacts had recently been stepped up after China cut most military ties following the last major announcement by the US of arms sales to Taiwan in 2008.
Robert Gates, US defence secretary, and Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the US joint chiefs of staff, had been expected to visit China this year.
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