Admiral: US, China military relations thawing

[October 21, 2009]  SEOUL, South Korea (AP) -- Military relations between the United States and China have begun to thaw after a year of limited contact, the admiral in charge of the U.S. Pacific Command said Wednesday.

Adm. Robert F. Willard said the U.S. is closely watching China's military might after years of underestimating its abilities. Talks recently began between the two nation's military leaders, Willard said, adding that American officials are seeking to reforge U.S.-China ties from enlisted troops all the way up the chain of command.

"We've commenced dialogue where we can," Willard, in Seoul to attend annual defense ministers' talks, told reporters.

He added: "We're looking for a range of opportunities to engage. But at the end of the day, China has to want to do this too."

Willard cited uncertainty and concern among Asian allies over what he called an unprecedented military buildup by China over the last year. He said U.S. intelligence estimates have underestimated China's abilities annually over the past decade.

"They've grown at an unprecedented rate," he said.

Last year, China broke off military talks with the U.S. after the administration of then-President George W. Bush approved a major arms sale to Taiwan, the self-governing island Beijing considers a renegade province.

As its military has grown, Chinese ships have repeatedly harassed U.S. Navy surveillance vessels collecting intelligence off China's southeastern coast and Chinese submarines have aggressively pursued aircraft carrier battle groups.

Willard said the U.S. maintains it has the right to operate military and commercial ships in those waters -- a point of international law that China disputes.

"We have no intention of doing any differently," he said.

However, it is among the topics at the top of any discussion between the U.S. and China, he said.

"It's something they're vocal about now," Willard said. "We're more than happy to sit down and have an adult discussion about our differences."

Next week, China's second-highest ranking officer, General Xu Caihou, will be in the U.S. He is expected to meet with Willard and Defense Secretary Robert Gates.

[Associated Press; By LARA JAKES]

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