Chinese, US militaries renew rapport

Top military officials from China and the United States agreed to deepen exchanges and cooperation, manage risks and differences and make military-to-military relations a stabilizing factor in bilateral ties, a spokesman for the Ministry of Defense said on Friday. 

Senior Colonel Wu Qian, the ministry's spokesman, spoke at a news conference after State Councilor and Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe met with Acting US Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan on the sidelines of the 2019 Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore.

It was the first official meeting between the two senior military officials since Shanahan, a former Boeing executive, took over leadership of the Pentagon in January. Wu said the talk, while brief, was "friendly and constructive".

The two officials exchanged their opinions on the China-US military relationship, the Korean Peninsula situation and other issues of mutual concern. 

"Both sides have reached a consensus that maintaining a stable Sino-US military relationship is very important," he said. 

They agreed that both militaries should fulfill the consensus reached by their state leaders. 

During the meeting, Wei said the Chinese side objects to the US engaging in "negative rhetoric and actions regarding the Taiwan question".

When it comes to protecting national sovereignty and territorial integrity, "the US side should not underestimate the determination, will and capability of the People's Liberation Army", Wu said. 

As for the Korean Peninsula, both sides agreed to facilitate denuclearization of the peninsula and maintain peace and security in the region, Wu said. Both also expressed their desire for further exchanges and dialogue, and will keep in contact via appropriate diplomatic channels.

The three-day Shangri-La Dialogue is an annual security summit hosted since 2002 by the International Institute for Strategic Studies. This year is the first time in eight years that Beijing has sent its defense minister to the forum.

Shanahan is scheduled to make a keynote speech on Saturday, and Wei will speak on Sunday. 

Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe and US Acting Defense Secretary Patrick Shanahan meet in Singapore on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue on Friday.