This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/asia-pacific/6101060.stm
The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 0 | Version 1 |
|---|---|
| US welcomes Chinese-Asean links | US welcomes Chinese-Asean links |
| (3 days later) | |
| The US has welcomed China's request for closer military links with its South East Asian neighbours. | The US has welcomed China's request for closer military links with its South East Asian neighbours. |
| "Such military-to-military dialogue and engagement can increase transparency and promote stability," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. | "Such military-to-military dialogue and engagement can increase transparency and promote stability," said State Department spokesman Sean McCormack. |
| He was responding to remarks made by Chinese PM Wen Jiabao, who told leaders from Asean nations that Beijing wanted to increase military co-operation. | He was responding to remarks made by Chinese PM Wen Jiabao, who told leaders from Asean nations that Beijing wanted to increase military co-operation. |
| The US has often asked China to be more open about its military plans. | The US has often asked China to be more open about its military plans. |
| 'Expanding dialogue' | 'Expanding dialogue' |
| Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made his comments on Monday, at a one-day summit with leaders of the 10-member Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) grouping in Beijing. | Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao made his comments on Monday, at a one-day summit with leaders of the 10-member Asean (Association of South East Asian Nations) grouping in Beijing. |
| "We should expand military dialogue and exchanges [and] conduct and institutionalise defence co-operation," Mr Wen said in a speech to delegates. | "We should expand military dialogue and exchanges [and] conduct and institutionalise defence co-operation," Mr Wen said in a speech to delegates. |
| Later in the day, Mr McCormack said that "although Asean itself is not a security organisation, engaging other countries and other militaries in the region on security issues can be a positive step, so long as it is done in an open and non-exclusionary manner". | Later in the day, Mr McCormack said that "although Asean itself is not a security organisation, engaging other countries and other militaries in the region on security issues can be a positive step, so long as it is done in an open and non-exclusionary manner". |
| Washington also repeated its hope that Beijing would become more transparent about its military strategy, doctrine and budget. | Washington also repeated its hope that Beijing would become more transparent about its military strategy, doctrine and budget. |
| The US has repeatedly accused China of understating its defence spending, and has issued several warnings about China's growing military might. | The US has repeatedly accused China of understating its defence spending, and has issued several warnings about China's growing military might. |
| The Chinese have responded to such accusations by saying that they pose no threat, and accusing the US of seeking excuses to sell weapons to Taiwan. | The Chinese have responded to such accusations by saying that they pose no threat, and accusing the US of seeking excuses to sell weapons to Taiwan. |
| China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has vowed to invade if it moves towards declaring formal independence. | China regards Taiwan as a renegade province and has vowed to invade if it moves towards declaring formal independence. |