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Rumsfeld visit to pave way for summit meet
(China Daily/chinadaily.com.cn)
Updated: 2005-10-19 06:01
US Secretary of Defence Donald Rumsfeld arrived in Beijing yesterday on an
official visit described by international-affairs experts as "an important step"
towards increasing bilateral military exchanges.
Chinese Defense
Minister Cao Gangchuan (right) gestures at a welcoming ceremony hosted in
honour of visiting US Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld in Beijing October
19, 2005. Rumsfeld arrived in Beijing Tuesday for a three-day visit, his
first as the US secretary of defense.
[newsphoto] |
Rumsfeld's first trip since he took up his current position is also expected
to pave the way for US President George W. Bush's visit to China next month.
The White House announced on Monday that Bush would come to China after
attending the November 18-19 Asia-Pacific Economic Co-operation (APEC) summit in
the South Korean city of Busan.
In New York last month, President Hu Jintao and his US counterpart agreed to
push for constructive co-operation.
"Rumsfeld's visit signifies the continuation of increasing mutual trust
between the leaders of the two countries," said Zhu Feng, professor at the
School of International Studies of Peking University.
The relationship between China and the US is playing an increasingly
important role in regional and global affairs, said Zhu; and if bilateral
military relations lag behind, it will generate a negative influence on
bilateral ties, he noted.
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