Beijing (AsiaNews/Agencies) – Chinese President Hu Jintao met with visiting U.S. Secretary of Defence Robert M. Gates this morning. The talks were defined as “candid”, full of promises for greater cooperation between the two nations, despite there remaining some “shadows”, such as lack of clarity over the Chinese military build up.
Gates, on his first visit to China as a member of the American government, met yesterday with the Defence Minister Cao Ganghuan and deputy foreign minister Dai Bingguo.
China and the United States have decided to open up a direct telephone line between the two defence ministries and to strengthen cooperation between Exchange education programmes and joint military exercises. Gates also reaffirmed the American stance on the “one China” issue and put the Taiwanese president Chen Shuibian on his guard should he takes steps towards “independence” which could push China to resolute action. “We are closely watching the actions of the `Taiwan independence' forces and their secession attempts. We will make utmost efforts to maintain the peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait”.
Despite being pro “one China” the United States is urging a peaceful re-unification between Taipei and Beijing and that they will be forced to military intervention should Taiwan be attacked militarily. The USA is the biggest arms supplier to the Island.
Gates and Cao Ganghuan defined their meeting as “candid” and “friendly”, but the USA id demanding greater clarification on Chinese military spending which has increate to exceed 45 billion dollars, at an annual growth of 18%.
Gates has asked for “greater transparency” on other International issues as well, first and foremost an assurance that Iran is not building nuclear arms. The United States is pushing the international community to approve strong sanctions against Tehran, but China is opposing the move. Iran is China’s main petrol supplier.
Gates’ visit concludes tomorrow.