Post by Shadow on Oct 22, 2005 14:49:07 GMT -5
Washington Times
BEIJING -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told Chinese military officials today that China's expansion of its strategic missile forces and a lack of information about the buildup is a concern to the United States and other nations.
During remarks to members of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences, a top military school, Mr. Rumsfeld said the missile force expansion allows strategic weapons "to reach many areas of the world beyond the Pacific region."
"Those advances in China's strategic-strike capability give us questions, particularly when we have an incomplete understanding of such developments," he said during the last day of a two-day visit here.
Mr. Rumsfeld said China can decide how much it wants to say about its nuclear intentions but that providing "clarity" on the issue would promote "greater certainty" among nations in the region.
"A number of countries with interests in the region are asking questions about China's intentions," he said.
The defense secretary said the United States wants China to emerge as a peaceful partner in the international system but noted that success in closer ties will require "both cooperation and candor."
Yesterday, China's strategic missile forces commander told Mr. Rumsfeld that his country is not targeting U.S. cities with missiles and would not be the first to use nuclear arms in a conflict.
BEIJING -- Defense Secretary Donald H. Rumsfeld told Chinese military officials today that China's expansion of its strategic missile forces and a lack of information about the buildup is a concern to the United States and other nations.
During remarks to members of the Chinese Academy of Military Sciences, a top military school, Mr. Rumsfeld said the missile force expansion allows strategic weapons "to reach many areas of the world beyond the Pacific region."
"Those advances in China's strategic-strike capability give us questions, particularly when we have an incomplete understanding of such developments," he said during the last day of a two-day visit here.
Mr. Rumsfeld said China can decide how much it wants to say about its nuclear intentions but that providing "clarity" on the issue would promote "greater certainty" among nations in the region.
"A number of countries with interests in the region are asking questions about China's intentions," he said.
The defense secretary said the United States wants China to emerge as a peaceful partner in the international system but noted that success in closer ties will require "both cooperation and candor."
Yesterday, China's strategic missile forces commander told Mr. Rumsfeld that his country is not targeting U.S. cities with missiles and would not be the first to use nuclear arms in a conflict.