US, China smooth over military build-up dispute

SINGAPORE (AFP) - The United States and China turned down the heat Saturday on a simmering dispute over Beijing's military build-up, with US Defence Secretary Robert Gates expressing optimism about future relations.

Gates called for a more detailed military dialogue with China to avoid future miscalculations, while a top Chinese general said Beijing was prepared to open a "hotline" with Washington.

"I think it is an important start," said Gates. "There has clearly been greater transparency on the part of the Chinese."

The establishment of a direct telephone link between the US and Chinese defense ministries would help avoid miscalculations and was "another step forward in the development of the relationship," he said.

The comments from the two officials, both of whom were attending an Asian security conference in Singapore, came in the wake of a Pentagon report that questioned the motivation behind Beijing's drive to modernize its military.

Gates downplayed past US rhetoric on China's military might, alluding only in passing to the Pentagon report by reiterating Washington's concerns over "the opaqueness of Beijing's military spending and modernization programs."