U.S. China Defense Talks Feature Some Blunt Words

                        (Photo: U.S. Dept. of Def.)

                              by David Parmer

For many Americans, a trip to China is a once in a lifetime dream. They get to see Beijing, tour the Forbidden City, meet Chinese people, soak in the culture and have some real Chinese food. And even on a business trip it is possible to squeeze in some of these things. But for U.S. Secretary of Defense, Chuck Hagel, China was no dream vacation this April. In fact it was not even a great business trip.

 On April 7, the Secretary landed in Qingdao on China’s eastern coast following a meeting with ASEAN defense ministers in Hawaii and a drop-in at Japan. As the first event of his visit, he toured China’s first aircraft carrier, the Liaoning, where he was briefed and met with crew members. Hagel was the first foreign dignitary to be accorded this honor. China presented this as a show of transparency. From here things became less cordial.

 On April 8, Hagel met with Fan Changlong, Vice Chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, who told him bluntly that China was dissatisfied with remarks he made at the ASEAN meeting and while in Japan. Later in the same day China’s Minister of Defense and the U.S. Secretary of Defense held a joint press conference at Defense Headquarters in Beijing, where both traded barbs. The New York Times reported that General Chang said “China has indisputable sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands.” He also boldly asserted: “The Chinese military can assemble as soon as summoned, fight any battle and win.” On the status of U.S. allies, Secretary Hagel stated, “The Philippines and Japan are longtime allies of the United States.” “We have mutual self-defense treaties with both of these countries.”

 On April 9, Secretary Hagel concluded his visit by meeting with China’s president, XiJinping in Beijing. It was reported that in the meeting he asked for China’s cooperation in containing North Korea. President Xi noted that Hagel’s meeting would lead to better military-to-military understanding. On April 10, Secretary Hagel was off to Mongolia for the last stop on his Asian tour. As for his China visit, it might have been a bit rough business-wise, but he did get to visit the Forbidden City.