On the other hand, Zhang denounced the Pentagon's report on the PLA: "This report is unreliable ... It is not to be believed."
He said it reflected "a Cold War mindset" and "creates the so-called `China threat' theory in the international community."
Lastly, he claimed the report was detrimental to military relations between China and the US. He demanded that the US and Japan explain the missile defenses they plan to deploy.
"China is quite concerned about the intention of the United States and Japan," he said.
The Chinese delegation also wanted to know the intent of a budding defense initiative involving the US, Japan, Australia and India. Gates begged off, saying he was new on the job and not familiar with the plan.
Maybe more transparent communication is coming. In response to former US secretary of defense William Cohen, Zhang said a hot line between Beijing and Washington was about to be opened.
"In September this year," he said, "I will lead a delegation to the US and meet with the US military officials for the ninth time and at that time we will finalize the establishment of the hotline."
Richard Halloran is a writer based in Hawaii.
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