In an interview with China Central Television a defense official
said the country's growing military strength wasn't a threat as it
was seeking to improve political trust with foreign forces through
exchanges and joint military exercises.
"China holds a defensive policy," said Qian Lihua, deputy
director of the ministry's Foreign Affairs Office. "We'll never
take part in any military bloc and never station any military
forces overseas."??
He cited Sino-US joint military exercises in November, the first
in the history of the two countries, as displaying proof that there
was a lack of evidence for US accusations of a lack of transparency
in China's military.
China had received 23 US military delegations and sent 18 to the
US this year, Qian said.
?
It had also opened to US delegations some exclusive military zones
including the headquarters of the East China Sea fleet of the Navy
Force of the People's Liberation Army.
?
"It's baseless and unreasonable to say China's military is not
transparent enough," Qian said. He pointed out that any country,
including the most developed, was not totally transparent on
military issues in order to protect security interests.
As well as the US military exercises had also been conducted
with Britain, France, Pakistan, India, Australia and Thailand
explained Qian. "The purpose is to enhance mutual understanding and
build mutual political trust," he added.?
(Xinhua News Agency December 8, 2006)