Chinese defense minister calls for China-US dialogues

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Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Wei Fenghe on Thursday met with US Defense Secretary James Mattis in Singapore, calling for dialogues between the two countries.

The two agreed to control risks and deepen mutual trust so as to make the relations between the two militaries a stabilizer for the China-US relationship.

"Both acknowledged that the meeting itself was significant and that high-level communication can help," said Randall Schriver, a US assistant secretary of defense. “So I think it was productive in that regard.”

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe (R) meets with US Secretary of Defense James Mattis in Singapore, October 18, 2018. /VCG Photo

Wei and Mattis both arrived in Singapore to take part in the 5th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus and Other Sideline Events scheduled from Thursday to Saturday, and the Chinese side echoed the US suggestion for a bilateral meeting.

According to the Chinese official, promoting cooperation for win-win development is the only choice for a lasting relationship between Beijing and Washington. Further stating that enhancing mutual trust is the best cohesive force for strengthening the exchanges of the two armies, and respect and toleration are the rightful means of addressing differences and problems.

Wei noted that China stands firm on principles guiding issues of Taiwan and the South China Sea, and that the Chinese military takes unswerving stance on safeguarding national sovereignty, security and development.

Mattis said that differences lie between the United States and China, but they do not necessarily mean confrontation, nor does competition mean hostility.

The US side is devoted to promoting the relations between the US and Chinese militaries, and hopes to further enhance exchanges between the two militaries at all levels, and take good advantage of the mutual trust and cooperation mechanism, so as to push the relations between the two militaries ahead on a right track.

General Wei Fenghe, China's defense minister, greets his US counterpart James Mattis in Beijing, June 27, 2018. /Xinhua Photo

China and the US postponed the second-round of China-US Diplomatic and Security Dialogue earlier in October.

In September, the US announced sanctions on a Chinese military organization for buying Russian weapons, and the Chinese National Defense Ministry commented that the US is to be blamed for the current state of China-US military ties, and urged the US to be rational and mature.

(With inputs from Xinhua)