China's military secrecy damages trust

Addressing a seminar dubbed “2010 Asia Policy Assembly,” Michael Schiffer, deputy assistant secretary of defense for East Asia, said the international community remains in the dark about China's actual military expenditure, the structure of its armed forces and its rules of engagement.

Although major countries around the world have repeatedly urged China to enhance military transparency, Schiffer said, China has failed to respond to the call effectively.

With its military spending increasing rapidly, China needs to assure the U.S. and its neighboring countries that its military forces will be used in a way conducive to regional development, Schiffer said.

Regrettably, he said, China suspended its military-to-military exchanges with the U.S. in January, a move that will not only impact mutual trust between the two countries but will also make it harder for China to win trust from its major neighbors.

If China is willing to resume military cooperation with the U.S., Schiffer said the U.S. government will not hesitate to fulfill President Barack Obama's promise to Chinese President Hu Jintao that the two countries establish a positive and cooperative relationship involving mutual engagement.

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