US military chief optimistic about Chinese carrier   

美军表示理解中国建造航母 望两军继续展开对话

美军太平洋司令洛克利尔6日对中国建造航母表示理解，并指中美两军展开坦诚开放对话的能力不断提升，希望今后延续这一良好势头。

Washington (CNS) -- Adm. Samuel J. Locklear on Thursday expressed his understanding that China is building an aircraft carrier, and said the United States military would seek collaboration with China for global peace.

"If I were China and I was in the economic position that China is in, and I was in a position of where I have to look after my global security interests, I would consider building an aircraft carrier, and I might consider building several aircraft carriers," said the commander of Pacific Command during a Pentagon briefing.

Locklear said U.S.-China military relations have improved and the two sides have been able to keep talking, as well as carry out exchanges and joint exercises. He referred to the joint drills held in Chengdu last month for humanitarian rescue and disaster relief.

Locklear visited China last June, the first visit by a U.S. Pacific Command chief in four years. According to China's Ministry of Defense, a senior officer from the People's Liberation Army will visit the U.S. for a defense consultation this month.