China told to ease fears over military budget

DONALD Rumsfeld, the US defence secretary, has urged China to be more open about its military spending.

During a visit to Beijing, Mr Rumsfeld said China's recent increases in its defence budget were raising suspicions about its intentions.

But Cao Gangchuan, the Chinese defence minister, said China's priority was economic not military growth, and denied spending was understated.

After holding talks with Mr Cao, Mr Rumsfeld met Hu Jintao, the Chinese president. Their discussions were expected to cover issues including North Korea, Taiwan and defence links between Washington and Beijing.

Mr Rumsfeld cited a "rapid, non-transparent" build-up of the Chinese military and said this makes other countries, including the United States, wonder whether Beijing will hold to a peaceful path.

Mr Rumsfeld also became the first foreigner to visit the headquarters of the Second Artillery Corps, which has commanded China's strategic nuclear missile force since 1966. It was a visit that US officials had repeatedly requested in recent years, and Mr Rumsfeld's aides said it provided valuable insights.

The aides said General Jing Zhiyuan, commander of the strategic nuclear forces, rejected a recent public suggestion by another Chinese general that the US could be targeted for a nuclear strike in the event that it intervened in a conflict over Taiwan.

Mr Rumsfeld's aides quoted Gen Jing as calling this "completely groundless" and said he reaffirmed China's policy of not being the first to use nuclear weapons in any conflict.

Later, in a meeting with Mr Rumsfeld at the Great Hall of the People, Mr Hu said the visit to the Second Artillery headquarters and Mr Rumsfeld's other discussions in Beijing will "help the military forces of our countries to better enhance their mutual understanding and friendship".

On his first visit to China as defence secretary, Mr Rumsfeld delivered an address to the Central Party School and fielded questions from students and faculty members. The school is a key training ground for people the Communist Party considers its rising stars and future leaders.