US defense chief eyes 'strategic dialogue' in China visit
MANILA, Philippines — After using strong language against China earlier this month, US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis is seeking to develop Washington's ties to Beijing.
The Pentagon chief will embark on a three-day visit to China amid rising military tensions between the two countries. He will be the first defense secretary under the Trump administration to visit China.
Asked whether he would be as harsh in discussing the South China Sea issue with Chinese officials, Mattis said the way to address issues between Washinton and Beijing is to "first establish a transparent strategic dialogue."
"How do they see the relationship with us? The Chinese see the relationship with us developing. We shared how we see it developing," Mattis told reporters.
Earlier this month, Mattis accused Beijing of "intimidation and coercion" in the disputed South China Sea.
The US defense chief also warned of consequences "if they (China) don't find a way to work more collaboratively with all of the nations who have interests."
The Pentagon had disinvited China from the largest multinational maritime exercise this year as an initial response to Beijing's deployment of new weapons and electronic jammers on its military bases in the Spratly Islands.
"And the way to get to be other issues that are vexing is to start with strategic transparency as a way to get to operational transparency. So that would be my message," Mattis said.
"I would tell you that—going forward, that we obviously look at the actions of China. But I've made—I'm going there to do a lot of listening and—and identification of common ground and uncommon ground on the strategic level at this time," he added.
Despite China's opposition, Mattis earlier said that the US would continue to confront Beijing's increasing militarization in the South China Sea.
"On the FONOPs, they're freedom of navigation operations. And you'll notice there's only one country that seems to take active steps to rebuff them or state their resentment of them," Mattis said.
As he visits Beijing, Mattis is also expected to discuss the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula and the role China can play.
While Washington would like to see Beijing play its role in reinforcing denuclearization negotiations with Pyeongyang, it also wants to see China's commitment to enforcing sanctions against North Korea as part of the pressure campaign. — with reports from AP
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