China-US military relationship should serve as cornerstone for stability in overall relations: spokesman

China-US military-to-military relationship should truly serve as a cornerstone for stability in overall relations of the two major countries, a Chinese defense ministry spokesman said in Beijing on Thursday.

Wu Qian, the spokesman, made the remarks in response to a media query about China's views on the future of the China-US military relationship, following the meeting between President Xi Jinping and US President Joe Biden in Lima.

"President Xi points out that China and the US will gain from cooperation and lose from confrontation. Despite all the ups and downs in the China-US relations over the past several years, the two militaries maintained some dialogues and cooperation and kept a generally stable relationship. As two major countries in the world, China and the US should bear in mind the greater good, and inject more certainty and positive energy into a turbulent world. We hope the US side can work with us towards a same direction, take a positive and rational view of the growth of China and the Chinese military, and prioritize peace, stability and credibility as the basic principles of mil-mil engagement. On the basis of equality and respect, the two sides should build a mil-to-mil relationship featuring non-conflict and non-confrontation, open and substantive cooperation and gradual accumulation of mutual trust, so as to truly serve as a cornerstone for stability in the overall China-US relations," said Wu.  

China-US military relationship should serve as cornerstone for stability in overall relations: spokesman

A favorable atmosphere is required for a meeting and principles are necessary for dialogue, a Chinese defense ministry spokesman said in Beijing on Thursday.

Wu Qian, the spokesman, made the remarks in response to a media query about China's views on the U.S. side's appeal for military dialogue between the two countries, following the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus), where the defense ministers of the two countries did not meet.

"China has principles in developing the China-U.S. military-to-military relationship. China's sovereignty, dignity, and core interests are inviolable. A favorable atmosphere is required for a meeting, and principles are necessary for dialogue. There is no need for the U.S. side to pretend to hope for dialogue. They are fully aware that their actions have undermined China's core interests," said Wu.

China emphasizes need for favorable atmosphere, principles in China-US military dialogue