Forum Views ()
Forum Replies ()
Read more with google mobile :
China defence chief seeks to soothe regional tensions
Yahoo!
My Yahoo!
Mail
More Yahoo! Services
Account Options
New User? Sign Up
Sign In
Help
Yahoo! Search
web search
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Australia
China
India
Indonesia
Japan
Malaysia
Philippines
Thailand
Vietnam
China defence chief seeks to soothe regional tensions
Reuters - Tuesday, October 12
Send
IM Story
Print
By John Ruwitch and Phil Stewart
HANOI - China sought to smooth over regional tensions stoked by its rising military profile on Monday, when the country's defence minister held fence-mending talks with his U.S. and Japanese counterparts.
China's growing military reach and vehement reaction to maritime territory disputes have sparked renewed concern among its neighbours, from Japan to Australia.
Defence Minister Liang Guanglie invited U.S. Defence Secretary Robert Gates to visit China when the two met on the sidelines of an Asia-Pacific defence summit in Hanoi, a step towards reviving bilateral military ties that Beijing suspended earlier this year over planned U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, a self-ruled island China considers sovereign territory.
"I agreed. We still have to work out the timing," Gates told reporters travelling with him.
Liang said a discussion with Japanese Defence Minister Toshimi Kitazawa had gone very well and would "of course be positive" for Tokyo-Beijing relations, which have been strained since early September by a row over disputed islands and are always sensitive to memories of Japan's brutal occupation of parts of China before and during World War Two.
But Liang's gestures were carefully calibrated.
He met Kitazawa at a hotel coffee shop instead of a more formal setting, and said Japan should "properly handle sensitive issues in bilateral relations so as to put the relationship back on a normal track at an early date," according to China's Xinhua news agency.
Kitazawa was encouraged by the fact that a meeting took place at all, but suggested the air was not completely clear in the wake of Japan's detention for more than two weeks of the Chinese captain of a fishing trawler that collided with Japan Coast Guard boats in early September.
"There is still an atmosphere in China that is not completely positive about improving relations," Kitazawa said in remarks carried on Japanese NHK public TV. "I got the impression that a bit more time may be necessary."
Kitazawa had urged Liang to reconsider China's postponement of a Japanese naval training visit, which was supposed to take place on October 15, but Liang refused, Japan's Kyodo news reported.
ON-AGAIN, OFF-AGAIN
Guan Youfei, deputy director of the external affairs office of China's Defence Ministry, said Liang stressed the importance of military-to-military ties with the United States, while reminding Gates that arms sales to Taiwan were still a thorn.
Beijing considers the island a part of China, but successive U.S. administrations have argued that they are bound by law to help Taiwan defend itself even though Washington officially supports Beijing's "one China" policy.
Liang said China would work with the United States "to facilitate gradual solutions to problems with a view to lifting the China-U.S. military-to-military relationship out of the current on-again, off-again cycle and enabling a track of sustained and steady development," Guan noted.
China has suspended military-to-military ties with the United States several times over the years in response to U.S. arms sales to Taiwan.
U.S. defence officials have expressed frustration with the stop-and-go nature of ties, and have urged China to engage in more consistent, transparent relations.
Throughout 2010, China-U.S. relations have been tested over arms sales to Taiwan, Internet policy, Tibet, China's currency and territorial claims. President Hu Jintao was planning to visit the United States next year and Guan said the trip would become "the top priority of bilateral relations in the near future."
Gates and Liang did not discuss the issue of maritime territorial disputes in the South China Sea, but in a speech earlier Gates indirectly challenged China's insistence on a bilateral approach to territorial disputes.
It was unclear if the issue would be raised directly at Tuesday's meeting, bringing together ministers or top officials from the 10 Association of South East Asian Nations and eight partners -- Australia, China, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia, South Korea and the United States.
Recommend
Send
IM Story
Print
Related Articles
Australia and Vietnam to boost military ties AFP - 12 minutes ago
New tennis number one Wozniacki wins China Open AFP - 1 hour 59 minutes ago
David on track for golden double at Games AFP - Tuesday, October 12
Aussie Kelly crowned Commonwealth's strongest man AFP - Tuesday, October 12
World champ Hooker on top, India win historic gold AFP - Tuesday, October 12
News Search
Top Stories
US treats first patient with human embryonic stem cells
New Bronze Age civilisation discovered in Russian Caucasus
Israel, Palestinians lock horns over 'the Jewish state'
Labour market specialists win Nobel Economics prize
New memoirs reveal Mandela's jail agony
More Top Stories »
ADVERTISEMENT
Most Popular
Most Viewed
Most Recommended
British lottery winner gets record 129 mln euros
Solomon Burke dies: Netherlands airport
Too much TV psychologically harms kids: study
New memoirs reveal Mandela's jail agony
Mandela letters show jail heartbreak: report
More Most Viewed »
US state executes first woman in nearly 100 years
Workers swarm Europe's streets in anti-cuts protests
British lottery winner gets record 129 mln euros
Global marine life census charts vast world beneath the seas
More Most Recommended »
Elsewhere on Yahoo!
Financial news on Yahoo! Finance
Stars and latest movies
Best travel destinations
More on Yahoo! News
Home
Singapore
Asia Pacific
World
Business
Entertainment
Sports
Technology
Weekend Edition
Subscribe to our news feeds
Top StoriesMy Yahoo!RSS
» More news feeds | What are news feeds?
Also on Yahoo!
Answers
Groups
Mail
Messenger
Mobile
Travel
Finance
Movies
Sports
Games
» All Yahoo! Services
Site Highlights
Singapore
Full Coverage
Most Popular
Asia Entertainment
Photos
World Cup 2010
Yahoo! News Network
Copyright © 2010 Yahoo! Southeast Asia Pte. Ltd. (Co. Reg. No. 199700735D). All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Service |
Privacy Policy |
Community |
Intellectual Property Rights Policy |
Help
Other News on Tuesday, 12 October 2010 Israel makes settlement offer, but Palestinians say no
New Bronze Age civilisation discovered in Russian Caucasus
British hostage 'may have been killed by US grenade'
Microsoft unveils new mobile platform, Windows Phone 7
France arrests Rwandan war crimes suspect
Syria accuses Israel of hindering peace process
|
Israel, Palestinians lock horns over 'the Jewish state'
Bombs kill three Afghan civilians, NATO soldier
New Bronze Age civilisation discovered in Russia
London bomb inquests told of wave of horror
|
US treats first patient with human embryonic stem cells
US-TECH Summary
Iran arrests 'fake journalists' who interviewed Ashtiani son
Labour market specialists win Nobel Economics prize
Microsoft Unveils 'Windows 7 Phone' Lineup
Israel seeks Palestinian concession over settlement row
U.S. helping Yemen fight al Qaeda, against talks
|
New York Police Investigating Explosives At Historic Cemetery
Tajikistan blocks Internet sites amid unrest: sources
Katherine And Joe Jackson Shoot Interview With Oprah Winfrey
Iran arrests two "fake" foreign journalists-report
OECD sees slower growth in industrialised countries
China Offers Billions for Part Ownership Of U.S. Oil Fields
Global study finds China and Middle East leading digital age
British aid worker 'may have been killed by rescuers'
Paladino Defends Comments About Gays
Tendulkar and Vijay flay Aussies
Ahmadinejad trip highlights Iranian sway in Lebanon
Schwarzenegger hails Russia on high-tech mission
Shrek Forever After, Movie Collection On Blu-Ray And DVD In December
US rescuers may have killed Afghanistan aid worker
Australian charity launches earthquake relief game
Search Ends For Man Who Fell From Sailing Vessel In Columbia River
US rescuers may have killed Briton in Afghanistan
Radvision signs pact with Microsoft
Obama Outlines Thousands Of Infrastructure Investment Projects
David on track for golden double at Games
Aussie Kelly crowned Commonwealth's strongest man
WSJ, NY Times, USA Today developing Galaxy applications
World champ Hooker on top, India win historic gold
Nationalists cause upset in landmark Kyrgyzstan poll
British hostage may have been killed by US grenade: Cameron
US, China clash over Taiwan as defence talks resume
Microsoft smartphones might not lure video gamers
|
China evacuates 450,000 as floods ravage Hainan
India win first C'weath athletics gold in 52 years
China snubs Norway in Nobel Peace Prize row
China sends invite to N.Korean leadership
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
China defence chief seeks to soothe regional tensions
South Africa clears employee at Oprah school of sex charges
Opera great Joan Sutherland dies aged 83
Justin Bieber launches nail polish line
La Scala hails 'queen of bel canto' Sutherland
George Michael seeks fresh start after jail release
Exotic wildlife plays supporting role at Delhi Games
Singapore businessman to renew Liverpool bid: BBC
Armless pianist wins China talent show: report
Taiwan Cement plans large solar power plant
An aria with your pint? London pub gives opera a new look
India to decide on Vedanta-Cairn deal 'by year-end'
George Michael freed from jail, vows new start
Opera great Joan Sutherland dies aged 83
|
South Africa clears employee at Oprah school of sex charges
|
Malaysia Islamists object to Adam Lambert concert
|
Justin Bieber launches nail polish line
|
George Michael freed from jail, vows new start
|
Iran arrests two "fake" foreign journalists
Chile's trapped miners finally set to escape
|
US orders probe of aid worker's death in Afghanistan
Microsoft unveils Windows Phone 7 mobile platform
Blast kills 2 as NATO helicopter lands in Afghanistan
|
Megacities present global health hurdle: experts
Online health services "need tighter rules"
N.Korea leader's oldest son says opposes dynastic succession
|
Obama pledges probe in kidnapped Briton's death
HP defends Apotheker, blasts departed CEO Hurd
Will Smith Offered Luxury Penthouse While He Films "Men In Black 3" In Brooklyn
US rescuers may have killed Afghanistan aid worker
TLC Premieres Homemade Millionaire On Nov. 19
U.S. urges China to let Nobel winner's wife move freely
|
Microsoft smartphones might not lure video gamers
American Scientists Inject Worlds First Stem Cells Into Human
Sinking Feeling: South Carolina Deals With Abandoned Boats
Drug hitmen kill eight policemen in Mexico
|
Fran Drescher Returns To Television With New Talk Show
Clinton in Sarajevo to push for Bosnian reforms
|
Budget Deficits Force Michigan Town To Cut Police Force
China frees Vietnamese fishermen as ministers meet
|
Obama Suggests $50 Billion for Transportation Infrastructure
Australia's 'voice of the century' Sutherland dies at 83
Israel makes settlement offer, Palestinians say no
|
Indonesia denies deforesting caused Papua floods
Australia motion urges China to free Nobel winner
Army tribunal to consider mass killing at U.S. base
N.Korea leader's oldest son says opposes dynastic succession
US-ENTERTAINMENT Summary
Asian territorial rows challenge stability: Gates
Global Weather-Celsius
Laura Ling to investigate on E!
Texting can be partial grounds for divorce: SKorea
HBO taps Hollywood for "Too Big to Fail" finance movie
China wages propaganda war after Nobel
U.S. warns on territorial disputes, tiptoes on China
China tells defence forum its military growth is no threat
China dominates richest self-made women list
Microsoft new phones win favorable reaction
|
iPhone maker faces new criticism over China labor practices
|
Seoul shares slip 1.2 pct; POSCO declines
Lil Wayne packaging CD with "Rapstar" video game
Online health services need tighter rules
|
Heartbreak museum is Croatia's latest attraction
In China, German minister warns of global trade war
HP defends Apotheker, blasts departed CEO Hurd
|
"Dilemma" dispute hurts studio and gay rights group
China raises bank reserve ratio for some banks
Thriller takes far-fetched look at office politics
India extends BlackBerry access deadline
"Max Schmeling" falls far short of a knockout
PAKISTAN
Laura Ling to investigate on E!
Bangladesh stock market boom fuels dire warnings
HBO taps Hollywood for "Too Big to Fail" finance movie
"Napoleon Dynamite" getting cartoon makeover for TV
Taiwan dollar up after cbank move; Fed in focus
Seoul shares dip; POSCO down ahead of Q3 results
Taiwan denies report of it banning forex orders
China to end ban on imports of Argentine soybean oil
HBO taps Hollywood for Too Big to Fail finance movie
|
Courteney Cox and David Arquette separate
|
Dilemma dispute hurts studio and gay rights group
|
Thriller takes far-fetched look at office politics
|
Laura Ling to investigate on E!
|
Lil Wayne packaging CD with Rapstar video game
|
Max Schmeling falls far short of a knockout
|
Marisa Miller named NFL spokesperson
|
Napoleon Dynamite getting cartoon makeover for TV
|
France hit by new strike in bitter pensions protest
Fiercer smartphone battle on tap for handset makers
Forty killed in Ukraine level crossing tragedy
French strikers fight pension reform, government resists
|
France hit by new strike in bitter pensions protest
Unit of China's Alibaba to launch search engine
Ex-Finnish PM Vanhanen 'to face corruption probe'
Wind could supply fifth of world energy: Greenpeace
ZTE joins tablet PC bandwagon with Android offering
Zetas drug gang grows, sows fear in Mexico
|
British inflation flat at 3.1% in September
New Jersey Woman Charged With Setting Own Apartment Ablaze
Ukraine train, bus collision kills 41: ministry
|
New Mandela memoir goes on sale
"Spider-Man" Casts Rhys Ifans As Villain
Argentina in UN protest over Falklands moves
Gap Drops New Logo After Criticisms
Pakistan key to any Afghan peace settlement: Gilani
|
"Men In Black 3" Delays Production Amid Reported Script Row
Ottawa Eyes Security Council Seat With UN Vote
Soldiers killed by blast at Iranian military base
|
Matt Damon Not In New "Bourne Legacy"
Swiss bid for referendum on bank secrecy fails
|
Witness Testimony Begins In Ft. Hood Hearing
New York Wants To Stop Food Stamps From Being Used To Buy Soda
Study: Estrogen Therapy Ups Kidney Stone Risk
Regular Exercise, Diet And Limited Alcohol Use Lower Breast Cancer Risk
China cancels second meeting with Norway minister
Ponting thwarts India after Tendulkar double ton
Australia lead India by 185 runs in second Test
China insists Nobel won't change political system
Kim Jong-Il's eldest son hits out over succession
Pakistani stocks, o/n rates end lower; rupee firmer
TB cases go undiagnosed in Asia-Pacific: WHO
Fiercer smartphone battle on tap for handset makers
|
India industrial output growth slows to 5.6%
Software firm backed by TV heavyweights debuts service
|
Piracy not only game in Indian Ocean naval build-up
China dominates list of globe's richest self-made women
Quake relief iGame aims to raise aid work awareness
|
Japan's DeNA to pay up $403 million for game firm ngmoco
|
Singapore tycoon to bid for Liverpool: source
Microsoft launches Windows Phone 7 platform in Asia
Online health services need tighter rules
|
Apple seeks approval to sell iPad in S.Korea: regulator
Top South Korean steelmaker suffers profits slip
ZTE joins tablet PC bandwagon with Android offering
|
Playboy to open first shop in Taiwan
Software firm backed by TV heavyweights debuts service
|
Greece at new risk of being pushed off euro
Bodies of missing Tenn. mom, Jo Ann Bain, and daughter found
Female Breasts Are Bigger Than Ever
AMD Trinity Accelerated Processing Units Now in Volume Production
The Avengers (2012 film), made the second biggest opening- and single-day gross of all-time
AMD to Start Production of piledriver
Ivy Bridge Quad-Core, Four-Thread Desktop CPUs
Islamists Protest Lady Gaga's Concert in Indonesia
Japan Successfully Broadcasts an 8K Signal Over the Air
ECB boosts loans to 1 trillion Euro to stop credit crunch
Egypt : Mohammed Morsi won with 52 percent
What do you call 100,000 Frenchmen with their hands up
AMD Launches AMD Embedded R-Series APU Platform
Fed Should not Ignore Emerging Market Crisis
Fed casts shadow over India, emerging markets
Why are Chinese tourists so rude? A few insights