U.S.-China military relationship at risk: Chinese official

Failure to properly handle sensitive issues between the United States and China could “very likely disturb and undermine” their military-to-military relations, a top Chinese official told US National Security Advisor Susan Rice yesterday.

“We should be honest with ourselves that deep down in this relationship we’re still faced with obstacles and challenges,” General Fan Changlong, vice-chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, told Ms Rice, adding that military ties had been “impacted by some complicated and some sensitive factors”.

“If we do not properly handle these factors it will very likely disturb and undermine this steady momentum of our military-to-military relationship,” he warned.

Ms Rice is the highest-level US official to visit Beijing since an international tribunal this month rejected China’s vast territorial claims in the South China Sea — infuriating Beijing and fuelling tensions with Washington. Her trip is intended to prepare for a visit by President Barack Obama to a G20 summit in the city of Hangzhou in September.

The Permanent Court of Arbitration in The Hague on July 12 invalidated Beijing’s expansive claims in the South China Sea, parts of which are also claimed by neighbouring nations. China had said the ruling has no bearing on its rights in the sea, and described the case as a farce.

In recent months Washington has sent naval vessels close to reefs and outcrops claimed by Beijing to assert the principle of freedom of navigation, sparking anger in China which has built a series of artificial islands capable of supporting military operations.

Despite tensions, the two countries have tried to improve communication between their militaries in hopes of minimising misunderstandings that could lead to conflict.

Ms Rice made no direct mention of the tribunal verdict but noted yesterday that “risks of unintended consequences” of the two countries’ forces operating in ever-closer proximity had been reduced thanks to better communication and other confidence-building measures.

But despite progress, “we have challenges and differences to discuss and to manage”, she said.

At a meeting with State Councillor Yang Jiechi — China’s top foreign policy official — earlier in the day, Ms Rice had called for “candour and openness” in facing such challenges and made positive remarks about US-China cooperation on climate change, global health issues and nonproliferation. AFP