http://news.yam.com/afp/international/200801/20080109219485.html
美軍太平洋司令吉亭將訪中
法新社╱法新社 2008-01-09 18:05
(法新社北京八日電)媒體報導,中國外交部發言人姜瑜今天表示,美軍太平洋指揮部司令海軍上將吉亭將於本月十三日至十六日訪問中國。
姜瑜透露,在訪問期間,基廷將走訪北京、上海和廣州,並會見中國中央軍委、總參謀部、廣州軍區和外交部有關官員。
此外,吉亭還將參觀解放軍有關部隊和院校,並與軍事科學院研究人員進行座談,就兩國兩軍關係以及共同關心的問題廣泛交換意見。
這將是吉亭二零零七年三月就任美軍太平洋指揮部司令以年第二次訪問中國。他第一次訪中是在去年五月。
http://www.nasdaq.com/aspxcontent/NewsStory.aspx?cpath=20080108%5cACQDJON200801080829DOWJONESDJONLINE000296.htm&
US Navy Pacific Fleet Commander To Visit China Next Week-AFP
BEIJING (AFP)--The top commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet will meet Chinese military officials in Beijing next week, state media said Tuesday, in talks that come after a heated row over U.S. naval visits to Hong Kong.
Adm. Timothy Keating, commander-in-chief of the U.S. Pacific Command, will visit China Jan. 13-16, Xinhua news agency said.
Keating will discuss Sino-U.S. military ties, Taiwan and other issues, said the report, citing a defense ministry statement.
In late November, top U.S. military officials expressed surprise and anger after China abruptly canceled a long-planned Hong Kong port call by the aircraft carrier USS Kitty Hawk and its battle group over the Thanksgiving holiday.
Chinese officials at the time strongly suggested that the cancellation was linked to the recent U.S. approval of $3 billion in weapons sales to Taiwan and an October meeting between U.S. President George W. Bush and the exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama.
China views Taiwan as part of its territory to be reunified, by force if necessary, and has long been incensed with U.S. weapons sales to the island.
Beijing also views the Dalai Lama as a dangerous figure seeking independence for Tibet.
But the defense ministry statement said it hoped Keating's visit would foster stronger Sino-U.S. military ties during 2008.
"China takes a positive attitude towards developing military relations with the United States, and hopes Keating's visit could further enhance understanding, expand consensus and boost cooperation," it said.