US army chief Mullen begins China visit to improve ties

The top US military officer has begun a visit to China, aimed at improving strained military ties between the two countries.

Adm Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said Washington and Beijing should work harder on developing "strategic trust."

Adm Mullen's trip is the first of its kind in four years.

In 2010, Beijing severed military contacts with Washington in response to US arms sales to Taiwan.

China regards Taiwan as part of its territory.

For its part, the US has repeatedly voiced concern over China's growing military capabilities and Beijing's rising assertiveness in a territorial row in the South China Sea.
'Enduring presence'

Adm Mullen is in China for a four-day visit at the invitation of Gen Chen Bingde, chief of the general staff of the People's Liberation Army, who visited the US in May.

The two are scheduled to hold talks in Beijing on Monday.

Ahead of the high-profile meeting, Adm Mullen said Washington was committed to maintaining its presence in the Pacific, including the South China Sea.


He expressed concern about the growing row between China, the Philippines and Vietnam in the area.

"The worry, among others that I have, is that the ongoing incidents could spark a miscalculation, and an outbreak that no-one anticipated," Adm Mullen said.

And he stressed: "We have an enduring presence here, we have an enduring responsibility. We seek to strongly support the peaceful resolution of these differences."

In all, six countries claim territory in the South China Sea, which is thought to be rich in oil and gas.

Last month, US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton stressed that Washington was committed to the defence of the Philippines, honouring a mutual defence pact.

In China, Adm Mullen is also scheduled to visit the country's air force, army and navy bases.
Superficial harmony

In May, Gen Chen said China had no intention to match US military power.

He said America's armed forces remained far more advanced than China's despite considerable progress by China in recent years.

Gen Chen's visit drew strongly favourable press in China - a signal of the importance that the Chinese authorities are now placing on better military ties, says BBC defence correspondent Jonathan Marcus.

But there should be no illusions as superficial harmony inevitably masks significant underlying tensions, our correspondent says.

The aim of China's extensive military modernisation, he adds, is to extend its military reach well beyond its own shores and to potentially neutralise weapons systems where the US has a dominant advantage.