s to join the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia could lead to a renewal of military exchanges between Beijing and Washington, a top U.S. military official said Dec. 18.
Adm. Timothy Keating, head of the Pacific Command, held out hopes for a revival in military relations after China said it was preparing to send warships to the Gulf of Aden in response to a pirate attack on a Chinese vessel.
"I hope the Chinese do (send ships to the Gulf of Aden) and we'll work closely with them," Keating said.
"I think this could be a springboard for a resumption of dialogue between PLA forces and U.S. Pacific Command forces," he said.
China suspended military contacts with the U.S. in October in protest over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan valued at $6.5 billion.
Relations between Taipei and Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province, nevertheless have warmed since President Ma Ying-jeou assumed office in Taiwan in May.
Keating said his command has been in touch with other agencies and military commands to provide information to the Peoples Liberation Army should it decide to deploy warships in Gulf of Aden.
The U.S. wants "to make sure they are aware of the lines of communications that are available to them... should they desire to send ships to the area of piracy most prevalent which is of course the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia."
Since the start of the year, about 100 ships have been attacked by Somali pirates who are holding 240 sailors for ransom.
Friday, December 19, 2008
For A Good Cause: Fight Against Somali Pirates Could Mend U.S.-China Ties / Somali Pirates Days Are Numbered
For A Good Cause: Fight Against Pirates Could Mend U.S.-China Ties / Somali Pirates Days Are Numbered & Headache Over
(NSI News Source Info) WASHINGTON - December 19, 2008: China's plans to join the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia could lead to a renewal of military exchanges between Beijing and Washington, a top U.S. military official said Dec. 18.
Adm. Timothy Keating, head of the Pacific Command, held out hopes for a revival in military relations after China said it was preparing to send warships to the Gulf of Aden in response to a pirate attack on a Chinese vessel.
"I hope the Chinese do (send ships to the Gulf of Aden) and we'll work closely with them," Keating said.
"I think this could be a springboard for a resumption of dialogue between PLA forces and U.S. Pacific Command forces," he said.
China suspended military contacts with the U.S. in October in protest over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan valued at $6.5 billion.
Relations between Taipei and Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province, nevertheless have warmed since President Ma Ying-jeou assumed office in Taiwan in May.
Keating said his command has been in touch with other agencies and military commands to provide information to the Peoples Liberation Army should it decide to deploy warships in Gulf of Aden.
The U.S. wants "to make sure they are aware of the lines of communications that are available to them... should they desire to send ships to the area of piracy most prevalent which is of course the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia."
Since the start of the year, about 100 ships have been attacked by Somali pirates who are holding 240 sailors for ransom.
s to join the fight against piracy off the coast of Somalia could lead to a renewal of military exchanges between Beijing and Washington, a top U.S. military official said Dec. 18.
Adm. Timothy Keating, head of the Pacific Command, held out hopes for a revival in military relations after China said it was preparing to send warships to the Gulf of Aden in response to a pirate attack on a Chinese vessel.
"I hope the Chinese do (send ships to the Gulf of Aden) and we'll work closely with them," Keating said.
"I think this could be a springboard for a resumption of dialogue between PLA forces and U.S. Pacific Command forces," he said.
China suspended military contacts with the U.S. in October in protest over U.S. arms sales to Taiwan valued at $6.5 billion.
Relations between Taipei and Beijing, which regards Taiwan as a renegade province, nevertheless have warmed since President Ma Ying-jeou assumed office in Taiwan in May.
Keating said his command has been in touch with other agencies and military commands to provide information to the Peoples Liberation Army should it decide to deploy warships in Gulf of Aden.
The U.S. wants "to make sure they are aware of the lines of communications that are available to them... should they desire to send ships to the area of piracy most prevalent which is of course the Gulf of Aden and off the coast of Somalia."
Since the start of the year, about 100 ships have been attacked by Somali pirates who are holding 240 sailors for ransom.
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