Former US defense chiefs encourage more military exchanges between US, China

WASHINGTON - Four former US defense secretaries on Monday encouraged their country and China to boost military exchanges to enhance mutual trust.

Chuck Hagel, William Cohen, William Perry, and Harold Brown voiced this view at an event held by National Committee on US-China Relations.

Cohen, who served as the Pentagon chief from 1997 to 2001, said the two militaries could conduct more joint exercises as "a way of trying to build more trust" between the two sides.

Hagel, who was secretary of defense from 2013 to 2015, noted that the US military is doing more military exercises with the People's Liberation Army (PLA) than before.

In November, three Chinese naval ships made a port call at the United States' Naval Station Mayport during the PLA navy's first-ever goodwill visit to the US East Coast. The two navies also conducted a joint military exercise after the visit.

Perry, who was the Pentagon chief from 1994 to 1997, encouraged the two militaries to continue to promote minister-level dialogue, which all four defense chiefs did during their tenure.

At the event, all the four former officials agreed that US military academies should train PLA officers to boost mutual understanding.

The National Committee on US-China Relations is a nonprofit organization that encourages citizens of China and the United States to understand the two countries. It is holding a series of events to celebrate its 50th anniversary of this year.