Chinese defence minister urges US to promote ‘constructive’ cooperation

Chinese Defence Minister Dong Jun has urged members of the US Congress to take “constructive and pragmatic measures” to improve relations between the two militaries.

A bipartisan delegation met Dong and Vice-Premier He Lifeng on Monday, a day after they met Premier Li Qiang in Beijing.

“I hope you members of Congress can exclude disruptive measures and take constructive and pragmatic measures to contribute to the improvement of relations between the two militaries and promote US and Chinese cooperation,” Dong said.

“The two sides should smooth military communication channels, and push bilateral military relations towards stable, healthy and sustainable development with concrete actions.”

Meanwhile, He told the visitors that a recent phone conversation between presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump had set the basis for steady growth in the relationship between the two countries.

“China and the US have broad space for cooperation and have extensive common interests. We hope that the US will work with China on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation, to promote the stable, sound and sustainable growth of Sino-US economic and trade relations,” he said.