Commander of U.S. Forces Arrives in China

[Judi Lynn]

Commander of U.S. Forces Arrives in China
By CHRISTOPHER BODEEN
Associated Press Writer
May 9, 2006, 5:38 AM EDT

BEIJING -- The commander of U.S. forces in the Pacific arrived in Beijing on Tuesday for a visit aimed at rebuilding contacts between the two countries' armed forces.

U.S. Adm. William Fallon was to meet with top Chinese defense and Foreign Ministry officials on Wednesday before touring military installations in other parts of the country.

Since taking office last year, Fallon has repeatedly called for a full restoration of contacts between the U.S. and Chinese militaries. Washington broke off military relations in 2001 after China held the crew of a U.S. Navy plane for 11 days after it collided midair with a Chinese fighter jet.
(snip)

In an interview last month, Fallon said he hoped to eventually persuade the People's Liberation Army to "participate in some fashion" in U.S. joint exercises with Pacific allies such as Australia, Japan and Singapore.
(snip/...)

http://www.newsday.com/news/nationworld/wire/sns-ap-china-us-military,0,3730304.story?coll=sns-ap-nationworld-headlines