China’s Vow to Gates on Military Ties Marred by Doubt
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U.S. Defense Secretary Robert Gates leaves China today with assurances from his counterparts on improved military ties marred by the same uncertainties that have dogged the relationship for years.
Gates won a pledge from Chinese military and civilian leaders to consider higher-level dialogue on strategic security issues and he praised them for “constructive” action to rein in North Korea. At the same time, officials wouldn’t commit to specific timelines and seemed at odds internally over U.S. ties.