US ‘pivot’ must not target China, defence minister warns
Chang Wanquan stresses co-operation during meeting with American counterpart, but also asserts PLA's commitment to defending territory
Defence minister General Chang Wanquan has urged Washington not to target China in its "pivot" towards Asia, its term for its diplomatic and military shift towards the Pacific.
Chang - on his first trip to the United States as minister - reiterated China's pledge not to make concessions on its core interests. He also struck a positive note, vowing, after three hours of talks with US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel, to boost military ties with the US.
[Both nations should refrain] from imposing one's will on the other, or gaining one's own interests at the expense of the interests of the other
Chang's trip comes amid bitter territorial disputes between China and its neighbours, including Japan in the East China Sea and Vietnam and the Philippines in the South China Sea.
Beijing has been irked by US efforts to strengthen its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region - a move it has perceived as an effort by Washington to back Beijing's rivals in the disputes.
The increased military activities of the US further complicated the security situation in the region and Washington's presence in Asia should not "target a specific country in the region", Chang told reporters.
Both nations should respect each other's vital interests and refrain from "imposing one's will on the other, or gaining one's own interests at the expense of the interests of the other", Chang said.
For his part, Hagel reiterated that the US did not take sides in the disputes, but said that the controversies should be settled without coercion.