Retired Chinese, U.S. senior generals discuss promotion of military ties

BEIJING, Feb. 23 (Xinhua) -- Chinese and U.S. retired senior generals concluded a meeting exchanging views on promoting bilateral military ties on Saturday, said the Chinese Defense Ministry.

Former Deputy Chief of the General Staff of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Xiong Guangkai and former Deputy Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff of the U.S. Armed Forces William Owens, respectively, led delegations to the meeting in Sanya, Hainan Province, the first of its kind between the two countries.

Altogether, nine retired Chinese and U.S. senior generals exchanged frank views on the military ties, the Taiwan issue and others of common concern at the meeting themed "Sanya originality" in the southern province known as the "Hawaii of China."

The sides offered "constructive" advice on how to strengthen ties between the two armed forces, according to the Foreign Affairs Office of the Defense Ministry.

The exchange was conducted in a "frank and friendly" atmosphere and was fruitful. The two sides agreed the retired generals of both armed forces should enhance contacts and exchanges to jointly promote the development of bilateral military ties.

Owens and the U.S. delegation were visiting at the invitation of the China Association for International Friendly Contact.

Before going to Sanya, Owens met with Central Military Commission Vice Chairman Xu Caihou in Beijing. Xu told him that the United States should see clearly the essence and risk of "Taiwan independence".