U.S. Relations with the People's Republic of China (2005)

U.S. Department of Defense
Office of the Assistant Secretary of Defense (Public Affairs)

News Transcript

Presenter: Secretary of Defense Donald H. Rumsfeld

Thursday, June 2, 2005

Secretary Rumsfeld Enroute to Singapore

[ ...Intervening Text... ]

Press: [inaudible] evolving security [inaudible] basic needs with these countries, how do you see [inaudible] India, [inaudible]?

Rumsfeld: India clearly is a major power in the world. It's the world's largest democracy. It has a democratic political system as well as a free economic system. It has a lot of very well educated industrious people, and it's an important country.

We have what I would characterize as an excellent relationship with India. From a military to military standpoint it's improved and strengthened every year over the past four and a half years [inaudible]. When I first came in February of '01 [inaudible] National Security Advisor of India [inaudible], and now we have met regularly since and the military to military aspect of our relationship has been very much leading the other aspects of the relationship which is [inaudible].

We're finding many things that we cooperate on.

With respect to the People's Republic of China, it is what it is. It's a big country with a rapid growth rate and a defense budget that's growing apace with their economy, and they are a major weapon purchaser in the world, largely from the Russians and some other countries as well, and they've been deploying a great many ballistic missiles in ships and other military capabilities over three years now. They have an economy that is, as they've opened it up it has developed more energy. Their political system has [inaudible] and I suspect that over a period of some years there will be a tension there. The freer economic system which is necessary for the kind of growth they want and feel they need requires an openness that is not fully consistent with a less free political system. The tension will grow as they move through the years. The hope of all free countries is that other countries will have free systems -- political and economic -- because that offers the best opportunities for their people. To the extent that the People's Republic of China [inaudible] a freer political system, they will be a considerably more successful country and a more influential country in the world. To the extent they fail to do that there will be pressures against their economy, it will grow less fast, and it will be a less influential country.

Press: What about the report [inaudible] China's military? Do you expect that to be released in the next --

Rumsfeld: Sometime in the period ahead. We talked a bit about it in here earlier today.

Press: What about [inaudible]? There are estimates that the number of missiles now that China has pointed at Taiwan is [inaudible]. There are some analysts who say that the balance of power is beginning to deteriorate against Taiwan. Are you concerned that that's a growing source of instability in that part of the world?

Rumsfeld: Our position is the same as it's been. It's a law and public pronouncements. We expect whatever happens[inaudible] between the People's Republic of China and Taiwan will be peaceful, and it's important that both sides understand that that's our position, and I think they do. Condi Rice, the Secretary of State has commented on it, [inaudible] has commented on it, [inaudible].

Press: [inaudible]?

Rumsfeld: No. I think it's important for countries in the region to have good relationships with each other.

Press: [inaudible]?

Rumsfeld: Military, politically, economic.

Press: How would you rate U.S. and Chinese military relations? Are they [inaudible]?

Rumsfeld: -- to China sometime later this year [inaudible]. We think port stops have [inaudible] on various [inaudible]. They were growing, as I recall, prior to the EP3 situation which was the main setback. The [inaudible] in military to military relations, and time's passed and they're evolving again which I think is appropriate for the times.

Press: [inaudible]?

Rumsfeld: A discussion of global posture would certainly very likely come up. We are in the bilateral [inaudible].

Press: [inaudible]? -- years ago. [Inaudible] core issue for when you think about [inaudible]. But [inaudible]. So do you think it's still likely or [inaudible]?

Rumsfeld: Without referring to the specific dates, which I won't get into, I'm kind of old fashioned. I like for countries to make announcements about themselves themselves rather than [inaudible]. But we feel our discussions with Japan on our [inaudible] in East Asia have been moving along well. It's all in the light of [inaudible]. We may have an agreement on [inaudible], but [inaudible].

Press: [inaudible].

Rumsfeld: And I am specifically not talking about any specific --

Press: I know, I know.

Press: [inaudible]? -- basing in the area, [inaudible].

Rumsfeld: I am sure, I am not [inaudible] discussions [inaudible]. The entire set of relationships, aspects of the relationship and [inaudible] and they've been going on for many many months, and these things are complicated and will be worked out in an appropriate manner [inaudible].

Press: The war on terrorism is going to be --

Rumsfeld: Sure.

Press: What will you have to say about that?

Rumsfeld: We'll keep you informed.

Press: One of the [inaudible]. You talked about [inaudible]. [Inaudible] five or ten years [inaudible]. Do you have any [inaudible]?

Rumsfeld: It's pretty clear where it's going. [Inaudible] the relationship [inaudible] strengthened as we go through [inaudible]. With respect to China it's not particularly clear which way they're going, [inaudible] the tension I characterized between the nature of their political system and the nature of their economic system.

Obviously to the extent that both continue and move towards freer political and freer economic systems, the relationship between the People's Republic of China and the rest of the world will be much closer. To the extent their political system causes their economic system to be less free, they will be less of a factor in the world and would have fewer relationships in the world which would be too bad.

I think everyone recognizes the desirability of, as I said, if you look from space on the world, and ask which countries are doing the most for their people, the most prosperous and happy and fulfilled and successful from an economic standpoint are the countries with free political and free economic systems. [Inaudible].

In China there are a lot of people and they've got a relatively low GDP per capita. And it would be a shame for the people of China if that country conducted its political and economic matters in a way that they did not have those opportunities and freer systems [inaudible] to permit [inaudible].

All right, folks.

Press: Thank you.