US seeks military ties with China

The United States has sought to resume military exchanges with China amid rising tensions between the two countries over a range of issues.

US Defense Secretary Robert Gates has met with his Chinese counterpart, Minister of National Defense Liang Guanglie to discuss the issue, a Press TV correspondent reported.

Gates said at a press conference in Beijing that regular dialogue was necessary to avoid misunderstandings that might lead to frictions or even conflict.

Before the meeting Gates said that the Chinese have the potential to put some of the US interests in the troubled region at risk.

The developments come as senior official in Beijing have strongly condemned the several-round joint US-South Korea naval war games recently conducted close to Chinese waters. They say the drills were a fresh provocation “to China and its surrounding region.”

Beijing has also taken a swipe at the Nobel Peace Prize Committee after an imprisoned Chinese dissident was named the winner of last year’s award.

Earlier in December, China’s foreign ministry described the decision as the political theater of Western countries and said awarding imprisoned Liu Xiaobo was a product of Cold War mentality.

The currency debate has also intensified tensions between the US and China. Washington says Beijing holds the yuan low so that Chinese goods can enjoy an artificial competitive edge. China has continued to resist pressures from the US to raise the value of its yuan currency against the US dollar.

Moreover, China has reduced its military cooperation with the Pentagon over the 6.4-billion-dollar US arms sales to Taiwan. China considers the island as part of its territory.

Reports say China is also building game-changing aircraft carriers, stealth jet fighters and advanced weapons that can pave the way for ending the dominance of the United States at sea.