China says development of US military relationship requires sincerity, effort

The Chinese and US national flags are seen in this file photo taken on June 30, 2017 during an event in Beijing. FRED DUFOUR AFP BEIJING - A Chinese official said on Thursday that the development of the China-US military relationship requires sincerity and effort from both sides.

At a regular press conference, Tan Kefei, a spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, said that the communication channels between the two militaries are open and unfettered, and China is open to the promotion of military-to- military exchanges and cooperation between the two countries.

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He said that the United States has been practicing bloc politics for a long time because of the Cold War mentality. The United States has been tightening bilateral military alliances, piecing the military pact between the United States, Britain and Australia, or AUKUS, peddling the Quad mechanism and strengthening the Five Eyes Alliance, said Tan, saying that such moves are obviously targeted against China.

The military relationship between China and the US is at an important moment, and both militaries will carry out a series of dialogues and exchanges going forward, the spokesperson said.

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He said that the US side should abandon the Cold War zero-sum mentality and take concrete actions to create favorable conditions for the healthy and stable development of the military-to- military relationship.