Chopsticks, kung pao chicken bring Pentagon chief closer to PLA soldiers

It was a recipe for successful military interaction, with light-hearted banter and easy conversation on the menu as US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel savored traditional Chinese cuisine for his lunch on Wednesday at a noncommissioned officer school in Beijing.

But the US defense chief, like any good military tactician, was quick to take note of his surroundings, and immediately focused on a fresh-faced man sitting beside him.

"Is that a hotdog?' he asked the surprised young NCO who was about to eat a sausage.

"You are still growing, I'm not," Hagel added approvingly to Xing Daichun, 24, a member of the Changping NCO School of Equipment Academy. It is natural for young people to eat wholeheartedly, especially sausages, Hagel said, perhaps indicating that the older generation has to display a firmer resolve in the face of tempting food.

The off-the-cuff remarks by Hagel, himself a decorated soldier, evoked laughter and got the lunch off to an appetizing start, and Xing couldn't help but smile as he self-consciously negotiated the sausage.

Hagel gladly targeted what he said was one of his favorites, kung pao chicken, a signature Chinese dish, dumplings and broccoli with garlic.

Enjoying the company of fellow soldiers, Hagel was in his element, totally at ease with military students and enjoying the camaraderie of the dining hall.

But some minor tactical decisions still had to be made, and Hagel was quick to launch for the chopsticks, instead of knife and fork, scooping up the dumplings with admirable coordination.

Hagel did manage to fire off some questions about daily life at the school.

"How long is your lunchtime?" Hagel asked Chen Pengxing, 24, who sat nearby.

"Twenty minutes," Chen replied in English.

Zou Peng, president of the academy, told Hagel that each student has one hour of intense physical training every afternoon.

Hagel wanted to know about training on Saturday and how much time off they had.

The school had training for half a day on Saturday, Zou replied, and some had the rest of the day and Sunday off.

As a dessert offering, Hagel praised his hosts and spoke of his own time as a soldier.

"I am flattered that you invited me. ... Many, many years ago when dinosaurs roamed the Earth, I was a sergeant in the army," Hagel said amid much laughter.

"You are leaders of the next generation. We need the best people, the smartest people," he said.

Before the plates were cleared, Chen presented Hagel with a metal insignia of the school with the Chinese characters "Ba Yi", (Aug 1), the date the People's Liberation Army was founded.

Hagel told Chen that he will cherish the badge and display it in his Pentagon office.

"This visit is very important to me, and I appreciate what you are doing for your country. I know your country is proud of you. Thank you," Hagel said just before a thunderous round of applause echoed across the dining hall.

In the right direction

Later on Wednesday, President Xi Jinping held talks with Hagel.

Xi stressed the importance of frequent high-level exchanges between Beijing and Washington recently and that they are leading the Sino-US relationship in the right direction.

Xi urged both sides to boost cooperation in various fields based on the principle of "no conflict, no confrontation".

Both countries should manage differences and sensitive issues to establish a new model of major-country relations between China and the US and further develop military ties, Xi told Hagel.

The itinerary Beijing prepared for Hagel reflected the great importance China attaches to the Sino-US relationship, Xi said.

Shortly after his arrival in China on Monday, Hagel visited the Liaoning aircraft carrier, becoming the first foreign visitor to board the ship. He also visited two military schools and met a number of senior officials.

However, the Pentagon chief's visit coincided with the passing of a bill by the US House of Representatives on Monday authorizing the sale of four naval vessels to Taiwan, a constant thorn in the Sino-US relationship.

The bill seriously disrupted the healthy development of Sino-US military ties and cross-Straits relations, Geng Yansheng, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said on Wednesday.

"We urge the US to fully recognize the extreme sensitivity of the bill, respect China's major concerns and stop arms sales to Taiwan as well as making any remarks damaging Sino-US and cross-Straits relations," he said.

Zhao Xiaozhuo, deputy director of the Center for China-America Defense Relations of the Academy of Military Science, said Beijing achieved its goal by helping Hagel to better understand the Chinese military, from the leaders to the soldiers.

No single visit can change any side's policies overnight, but it has boosted mutual understanding, he said.

Contact the writers at zhangyunbi@chinadaily.com.cn and zhaoshengnan@chinadaily.com.cn.