Visiting U.S. Admiral William Fallon said Monday that it is very
important to promote understanding between the United States and
China.
???
"I believe it is important to understand each other better,"
Fallon, commander of the U.S. Pacific Command, said at a news
conference in Shenyang, capital city of northeast China's Liaoning Province.
???
Fallon arrived in Beijing on May 9 and met with senior Chinese
military officers, including Chinese Defense Minister Cao
Gangchuan, People's Liberation Army Deputy Chief of Staff General
Ge Zhenfeng.
???
He also visited several military academies and facilities in three
Chinese cities including Shenyang.
???
Fallon said that his visit gave him the opportunity to see a range
of things that he had not seen before.
???
Since taking office in February 2005, Fallon has repeatedly called
for a full restoration of contact between the two armed
forces.
???
"The reason that I came to China again was to continue the work we
began last year, that is to enhance the dialogue between senior
military personnel," Fallon said.
???
"It is necessary for the leaders to understand the strategic level
issues and to discuss them in detail. It's also necessary to
include the many levels of military personnel to have a better
understanding of what is going on. Obviously we have a long way to
go; there are many things that need to be done.
???
"No other issue is as large as the relationship between the US and
China. We have started moving forward in areas of common interests
that we share in this region and the rest of the world."
(Xinhua News Agency May 16, 2006)