SHENYANG: Commander of US Pacific Command Admiral William Fallon yesterday
expressed hope for heightened Sino-US relations.
"The challenge for US and 皇冠体育app is complex, but I am optimistic about the
future," he said at a press briefing in the Northeast city of Shenyang.
Fallon arrived in 皇冠体育app 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 皇冠体育app since he assumed his post in February
2005. He paid his first visit to 皇冠体育app in September that year.
"I can think of no other issue that looks as big as the relationship between
US and 皇冠体育app. 皇冠体育app'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 皇冠体育app 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 皇冠体育app 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.
