China's defence spending 'not a lot'
By Sun Shangwu (China Daily)
Updated: 2005-10-20 05:30

The president said that leaders of the two countries are in close contact; and that the two nations have effective co-ordination in trade, the economy, anti-terrorism, non-proliferation and reform of the United Nations.

Chinese Defense Minister Cao Gangchuan (right) gestures at a welcoming ceremony hosted in the honour of visiting US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in Beijing October 19, 2005. [newsphoto]

Hu said that China and the United States share a broad range of common interests and they should deal with "sensitive issues" in bilateral relations with constructive attitudes.

Rumsfeld who congratulated Chinese leaders on the successful Shenzhou VI mission said the two armies should expand exchanges in military education sector.

His trip paves the way for a visit by US President George W Bush next month.

Rumsfeld described his meeting with his Chinese counterpart Cao as "constructive, candid and useful."

"I sense a desire on the part of the minister to find activities and ways we can work with each other that will contribute to demystifying what we see of them and what they see of us," Secretary Rumsfeld said.

On the question of Taiwan, Cao said it involves China's core interests and urged the United States to keep its promise to oppose "Taiwan independence" so that peace and stability are maintained in the region.

Rumsfeld said that his country would adhere to the one-China policy and observe the principles of the three joint communiqus between the two countries.

China and the United States have opportunities to learn from each other and better understand each other's direction and intentions, he added.

In recent years, the two militaries have strengthened ties, characterized by high-level visits, exchanges between military schools and visits of military vessels to each other's ports.

In the morning, Rumsfeld visited the Central Party School, a venue for training Party officials, and held a question-and-answer session with students and staff.

He hailed China's economic growth and said the United States would welcome a peaceful and prosperous China.

Rumsfeld's visit is the third by a US defence secretary in the past decade and the first since July 2000. He first visited China in 1974 when he was chief of staff to then-President Gerald R. Ford.

(China Daily 10/20/2005 page1)