The fourth Sino-US defense consultations held in Beijing Wednesday and Thursday have enhanced trust and understanding between the two sides, Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Zhang Qiyue said Thursday.
Briefing on the press conference, the spokesman said that the consultations will help reduce difference, expand consensus and promote relations between the Chinese and US armed forces.
Under Secretary of the US Department of Defense Walter B. Slocombe arrived here Tuesday at the invitation of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense to co-chair the fourth Sino-US defense consultations with Xiong Guangkai, deputy chief of General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA), said Zhang.
She said the two sides exchanged views on international and regional security, Sino-US relations and exchanges between the two armed forces in the coming year.
Xiong briefed the guests on the recently published white paper entitled China's National Defense in 2000.
She commented that the consultations were held in a "cordial and friendly" atmosphere.
The defense consultations between the defense departments of the two countries were established by the two heads of State during Chinese President Jiang Zemin's visit to the US in 1997. The first three consultations were held in 1997, 1998 and early 2000 respectively.
(Xinhua 11/30/2000)
