CRI听力:China & US to Launch Cooperative Military Partnership

China and the United States have vowed to keep military-to-military dialogue and launch joint military actions for humanitarian aid and disaster relief. They also agreed to solve the disputes in-between through dialogue and cooperation.

CRI's Wei Tong takes a closer look.

In a joint press conference with Mike Mullen, chairman of the US Joint Chiefs of Staff, visiting Chinese People's Liberation Army Chief of the General Staff Chen Bingde reiterated that cooperation and mutual respect are key points in the China-US military ties.

"I believe that China and the US share common concerns on some key issues but also shelve differences. I think our two countries should respect each other's interests and concerns on the core issues and settle down the controversies through dialogue and communications."

Mike Mullen echoed Chen's remarks saying the visit has achieved success and boosted the military ties. He suggested both sides can join hands to tackle challenges.

"The military relations between China and the US are vital and critical in support of the larger diplomatic relationship and economic engagement. It is always been my view that we can't afford to wait until we are in a crisis before we start to understand each other. And I still cannot figure out how China was able to have the first search and rescue team 33 hours after the earthquake in Haiti on the ground in Haiti from Beijing. And the point is we can learn from each other."

Both have mentioned that China-US military ties are still facing challenges. The three main obstacles refer to the US arms sales to Taiwan, US naval ships and aircrafts' frequent reconnaissance in waters and airspace of China's exclusive economic zones as well as the restrictions on China-US armed forces exchanges and technical cooperation.

Chen Bingde not only emphasized China's persistent stance in opposing US' arms sales to Taiwan but also that China is not a threat to the US.

"It is the well-known fact that Taiwan is an integral part of China. So why is China unable to defend Taiwan on its own but relies on US' arms and weapons? Now it is invalid and useless to contain China's development by playing Taiwan as a master card. Economic development will improve the livelihood of China's 1.3 billion people, but not to arm itself to challenge the US."

Mullen has stressed the two countries, representing the world's largest developing and developed economic body will continue to solve the controversies by means of dialogue.

"Any of these issues will not be resolved overnight and at the same time knowing as well we also have many positive areas, mutual interests. And I am very committed to keeping focus on both sets of issues. And that is very much a part of frequent dialogues, exchanges and conversations. We will have in the future addressing a vast ray of issues and challenges that faces both individually in the region and around the world."

Chen Bingde's US tour is the first in seven years by China's People's Liberation Army's chief of the general staff.

Chen visited and delivered a speech at the National Defense University and will also visit Naval Station Norfolk, Nellis Air Force Base and the US Army's National Training Center, some of which have not been opened to visiting military leaders for years.

He also met US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton and is scheduled to hold talks wth Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

For CRI, I am Wei Tong.