China to boost military talks with countries

China's military exchanges with other countries will see a small upsurge at the end of 2012.

The only exception is Japan, which is involved in a dispute with China over the Diaoyu Islands.

Experts said China can deepen understanding with other countries by increasing military exchanges and cooperation. They also urged Japan to correct its mistake on the Diaoyu Islands issue.

Increased military communication can also help China ease concerns from other countries who claim Beijing's military is "not transparent enough", said Ruan Zongze, vice-president of the China Institute of International Studies.

China attaches importance to military exchanges with other countries, and more such exchanges can deepen mutual understanding, he said.

The move shows China would like to take more responsibility in maintaining peace and stability in the Asia-Pacific region, said Su Hao, a global affairs professor at China Foreign Affairs University.

The first joint-exercise on humanitarian assistance and disaster relief involving China, Australia and New Zealand began on Monday.

Seven New Zealand Defense Force staff participated in the Exercise Cooperation Spirit 2012, which is being hosted by the Australian Defense Force from Monday to Thursday in the Australian coastal city of Brisbane and Enoggera Barracks, according to Xinhua.

The exercise aims to further develop relationships, interoperability and is focused on responses to humanitarian crisis.

Meanwhile, heads of defense universities and colleges from China and members of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations will meet in Beijing from Nov 4 to 8 under the framework of the 16th ASEAN Regional Forum.

The theme of the meeting is national security strategy in a changing world. It aims to strengthen communication among members of the ARF in the defense and security sectors, and promote military education exchanges between China and other countries, said Yang Yujun, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense.

In late November, China and the US will hold a joint drill on humanitarian rescue and disaster relief in Chengdu, Sichuan province, in Southwest China.

According to Yang, US Secretary of the Navy Ray Mabus and a US military medicine delegation will visit China, while a workshop of senior officers from the People's Liberation Army and a navy delegation will also visit the US.

The two countries will also hold the 13th defense consultation between defense ministries.

Meanwhile, China and Japan have shelved a plan to build a maritime liaison mechanism between their defense ministries.

Ruan said Japan is to blame for the stagnation of China-Japan defense talks, which will not be appropriate until Japan corrects its mistake.