Wednesday, July 16, 2014

US admiral in China for top-level navy talks

US admiral in China for top-level navy talks: The chief of the US Navy met his Chinese counterpart Tuesday for talks aimed at improving cooperation between their fleets following concerns over regional territorial disputes and potential armed conflict.

Admiral Wu Shengli, commander in chief of China's navy, welcomed Admiral Jonathan Greenert, the US chief of naval operations, with a red-carpet ceremony and an honour guard at his headquarters in Beijing.

They did not speak to reporters but a US navy official said the visit was meant to "look at ways to increase the cooperation between our navies".

It was the two men's "fourth interaction" over about the past year, he said, adding: "It obviously improves our understanding of each other also."

Greenert's trip is set to last until Friday and will include a visit to China's sole aircraft carrier, the Liaoning.