Question: It’s reported that US President Donald Trump conducted an “unprecedented purge” of top military brass, dismissing multiple senior officers, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Is the Chinese side worried that the Pentagon shakeup might negatively impact China-US defense relations? Have the two militaries talked to each other since the new US administration? What’s your expectation for China-US defense relations in the next phase?
Wu Qian: China never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries. On China-US military relations, the two sides maintain effective communication through military diplomatic channel. There have been some preliminary plans and arrangements for exchanges in the foreseeable future. We will release information on due course.
Taking lessons from history can help us build a better future. We hope the US side will work with us toward a common objective, be guided by the consensus between our heads of state, strengthen communication and dialogue, properly handle disagreements and differences, and conduct substantive cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. In this way, it is hoped that the China-US military-to-military relations get off to a good start and continue to grow further.
2月27日下午，国防部举行例行记者会，国防部新闻局局长、国防部新闻发言人吴谦大校答记者问。
记者：据报道，美国总统特朗普对美军高层进行了“史无前例的清洗”，解除了包括美军参联会主席在内的多名高官的职务。请问中方是否担忧美军高层的变动将影响中美两军关系？美国新任政府上台后，中美两军是否有过沟通？中方对下阶段中美两军关系有何期许？
Question: It’s reported that US President Donald Trump conducted an “unprecedented purge” of top military brass, dismissing multiple senior officers, including the Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. Is the Chinese side worried that the Pentagon shakeup might negatively impact China-US defense relations? Have the two militaries talked to each other since the new US administration? What’s your expectation for China-US defense relations in the next phase?
吴谦：中方从不干涉他国内政。关于中美两军关系，双方通过军事外交渠道保持着有效沟通。下阶段两军交往，双方已经有了一些初步的计划和安排，我们将适时发布消息。
Wu Qian: China never interferes in the internal affairs of other countries. On China-US military relations, the two sides maintain effective communication through military diplomatic channel. There have been some preliminary plans and arrangements for exchanges in the foreseeable future. We will release information on due course.
以史为鉴，未来可期。我们希望美方与中方相向而行，以两国元首共识为引领，按照相互尊重、和平共处、合作共赢的原则，加强沟通对话，妥处矛盾分歧，开展务实合作，推动两军关系实现良好开局，不断向前发展。
Taking lessons from history can help us build a better future. We hope the US side will work with us toward a common objective, be guided by the consensus between our heads of state, strengthen communication and dialogue, properly handle disagreements and differences, and conduct substantive cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence and win-win cooperation. In this way, it is hoped that the China-US military-to-military relations get off to a good start and continue to grow further.