U.S. Defense Secretary Rumsfeld (file photo)
20 October 2005 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Donald Rumsfeld left China today after a three-day visit in which he expressed concern about Beijing's military buildup.
Rumsfeld departed for South Korea as part of a tour that will also take him to Mongolia, Kazakhstan, and Lithuania.
Speaking today before his departure, Rumsfeld said China appeared to be expanding its nuclear strike capability, and said the move was raising doubts in the region about Beijing's intentions.
In a speech to the Academy of Military Sciences, the U.S. defense secretary said China was looking to expand its missile force to be able to reach beyond the Pacific region. He urged Chinese officials to provide "greater clarity" about its military strategy in order to ease regional concerns.
Earlier in his visit, Rumsfeld said the Pentagon believed China's military expenditure was two to three times greater than Beijing publicly acknowledges.
(AFP/AP)
Speaking today before his departure, Rumsfeld said China appeared to be expanding its nuclear strike capability, and said the move was raising doubts in the region about Beijing's intentions.
In a speech to the Academy of Military Sciences, the U.S. defense secretary said China was looking to expand its missile force to be able to reach beyond the Pacific region. He urged Chinese officials to provide "greater clarity" about its military strategy in order to ease regional concerns.
Earlier in his visit, Rumsfeld said the Pentagon believed China's military expenditure was two to three times greater than Beijing publicly acknowledges.
(AFP/AP)