U.S. - China Commit To Better Military Ties

PENTAGON WELCOME - U.S. Defense Secretary Robert M. Gates, right, escorts Chinese Gen. Xu Caihou, left, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, Chinese People's Liberation Army, through an honor cordon into the Pentagon, Oct. 27, 2009, for security talks. DoD photo by R. D. Ward

Time To End 'On-Again-Off-Again' US-China Ties: Pentagon -- Yahoo News/AFP

WASHINGTON (AFP) – Defense Secretary Robert Gates told a top Chinese general on Tuesday that US-China military ties were too important to be be derailed by occasional disagreements, officials said.

In a meeting with General Xu Caihou, China's second-ranking officer, Gates stressed the need to preserve a dialogue between the US and Chinese militaries regardless of disputes or policy differences, Pentagon press secretary Geoff Morrell said.

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More News On U.S. - China Military Relations

Gates Asks Xu to Help Break 'On-Again, Off-Again' Cycle -- U.S. Department of Defense
In rare Pentagon visit, Chinese military leaders agree to boost cooperation -- Stars And Stripes
Chinese General Offers Reassurances on Military Buildup -- Global Security Newswire
US, China pledge better military ties -- AP
U.S. calls for lasting military dialogue with China -- Reuters
Chinese military backs closer U.S. ties -- Reuters
Gates Calls for More Consistent US Military Relations with China -- Voice of America
Qian Lihua expounds China’s stand on military transparency -- Defense Progessionals
Background: China-US military ties -- CCTV

My Comment: The Chinese (like most Asian countries) put a premium on long term relationships and friendships. The problem with the U.S. political/military structure is that people tend to move on or be promoted to other departments after only a few years .... hence a certain difficulty in maintaining a long term relationship with someone like the Chinese.

Sec. of Def. Gates may complain about the intermittent relationship between the U.S. and China, but from the Chinese point of view it is the U.S. that has failed in following up and maintaining such relationships. This is a cultural thing .... but one that is not insurmountable.