US admiral asks China to clarify military policy

The top commander of the US Pacific fleet yesterday raised concerns over China's military build-up and urged Beijing to clarify the intentions of its increasingly sophisticated armed forces.

Admiral Timothy Keating said he urged Beijing to increase transparency in military affairs during talks with government and defense officials in Beijing that focused largely on Taiwan.

"China's military is developing very impressively," Keating told journalists. "We are concerned about the development of long-range cruise and ballistic missiles, we are concerned about their anti-satellite technology [and] we are concerned about area denial weapons."

concerns

In talks on Monday, Beijing agreed to higher-level military exchanges, which could help allay US concerns over China's military build-up, he said.

"We want to be very straightforward with our Chinese colleagues ... increased transparency can lead to greater trust and reduces the potential for misunderstanding," Keating said. "One of the reasons we are here is just to get to this question of intent ... as misunderstanding can lead to conflict or crisis."

Keating met on Monday with Chinese Foreign Minister Yang Jiechi (楊潔篪) and General Guo Boxiong (郭伯雄), vice chairman of the powerful Central Military Commission.

Keating was accompanied by Assistant US Secretary of Defense James Shinn and other officials.

China reiterated to Keating its concern over US weapons sales to Taiwan, China's foreign ministry said.

Keating said he discussed with Chinese officials the weekend legislative election defeat of the Democratic Progressive Party led by President Chen Shui-bian (陳水扁).

But he refused to say whether the election result would reduce tensions ahead of Taiwan's March 13 presidential election.

"As far as the Pacific Command [is concerned], the election results are what they are," Keating said.

"We will see how this unfolds with our overarching concern for the stability across the Taiwan Straits [sic]," he said.

no reason

On Monday, Chinese General Chen Bingde (陳炳德) suggested the US had no reason to fear China's military.

"We don't have the ability to make you afraid of us," he told reporters.

Chen also said foreign naval vessels were welcome to visit Hong Kong, in remarks apparently aimed at soothing US anger after its Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier battle group was denied a visit in November.

Keating said Chinese officials replied positively to a possible future Hong Kong port call.

China also replied positively to an invitation to participate with US forces in a multilateral military exercise in Thailand in May, he said.

Asked if war between China and the US over Taiwan was imminent, Keating said the US would avoid such a conflict at all costs.

"We are making every effort, not just unilateral, but bilateral and multilateral ... to make sure to the very best of our ability that there is not conflict," Keating said.