Chinese Defense Minister Visits the US
Leaders of the US and Chinese Defense Ministries will have talks on August 19.
Chinese Defense Minister Chang Wanquan began a visit to the United States on August 16 and will hold talks with his US counterpart Chuck Hagel on August 19, according to a Pentagon announcement.
Mr. Thuong Van Toan arrived in Hawaii on August 16 and met with Admiral Samuel J. Locklear III, Commander of the US Pacific Command, before going to Colorado to visit the Northern Command this weekend.
US Defense Department spokesman Steve Warren said Mr. Thuong will hold talks with Mr. Chuck Hagel at the Pentagon on August 19.
According to a senior US defense official, the two defense leaders will discuss a range of issues, including China-US relations, bilateral military ties as well as regional issues.
According to AFP, topics of the talks are likely to include North Korea's nuclear and missile programs, and territorial disputes between China and its neighbors in the East and South China Seas.
US concerns about Chinese cyber espionage are also expected to feature in the meeting.
The meeting between Mr. Thuong and Mr. Hagel will “allow the two leaders to have a candid exchange of views on many issues in the US-China relationship,” according to a US defense official./.
According to Thanh Nien - DT
