U.S. Attempts to Have Closer Contacts With China Are Being Rebuffed

Admiral Timothy Keating (Photo Christian Science Monitor)

US Military Leader: China's Army Still Secretive -- The Telegraph

The top US military commander in the Pacific has lamented the continuing secrecy of the Chinese army.

Admiral Timothy Keating said the closed lines of communication between China and the rest of the world could increase the risk of a serious military incident.

Last month, Adml Keating reached out to China's leaders, offering the prospect of joint military exercises between the US and China. "We are anxious to engage with them at the earliest opportunity," he said. "We want to understand much better than we do now China's intentions".

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My Comment: Adml. Keating wants to have open communications and a direct and personal contact with the Chinese military leadership.

"I don't have their [senior Chinese military officials'] phone number.

I can't pick up the phone and wish them happy birthday," he said. "I don't mean to be glib about it...[But] we don't enjoy the sort of communication that I have with almost every other military leader in Asia."

The Admiral does not get it .... the Chinese do not want to be chummy-chummy with him. They view him and the U.S. as a steadfast supporter of Taiwan, and a long term strategic threat to their own country. Their refusal to participate in joint naval exercises was an initial surprise, but when viewed from what are China's long term strategic objectives, they have no interest or desire to participate in any activity with the U.S., and are now practicing what they have been preaching for a very long time.