Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Meets with U.S. Secretary of Defense

April 8^th, Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Fan Changlong held a welcome ceremony for U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel at the Bayi Building in Beijing. Later, the two defense chiefs of China and the U.S. faced off Tuesday on several disputes of China.

Fan Changlong said, Chinese military and American military should cherish the current development and move forward stably.

Fan Changlong said China was "dissatisfied" with remarks made by US Defence Secretary Chuck Hagel in Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) defense ministers meeting in Hawaii and in Japan.

"China has indisputable sovereignty over the Diaoyu Islands. China will make no compromise, no concession, and no treaty on the issue of Diaoyu Islands. The Chinese military can assemble as soon as summoned, fight any battle and win." Chinese Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Fan Changlong added.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel thanked Fan Changlong for his straightforward words. Hagel said: "We have had wide-ranging and constructive discussions that reflect our growing cooperation."

Hagel said: "China's status as a major power is already solidified, built on its growing economic ties across the globe and particularly across the Asia-Pacific region."

"As our economic interdependence grows, we have an opportunity to expand the prosperity this region has enjoyed for decades. To preserve the stable regional security environment that has enabled this historic economic expansion, the United States and China have a responsibility to address new and enduring regional security challenges alongside other partners." Hagel added.

"The United States has been clear about the East and South China Sea disputes," Hagel said. "We do not take a position on sovereignty claims but we expect these disputes to be managed and resolved peacefully and diplomatically, and oppose the use of force or coercion. And our commitment to allies in the region is unwavering."

"And we will continue to welcome initiatives by China to do the same, particularly as China undertakes significant military modernization efforts," Hagel added.