U.S. urges China to open up on defense build-up

By Lindsay Beck

BEIJING (Reuters) - The head of U.S. forces in the Pacific pushed China on Tuesday for more transparency over its military build-up and suggested its growing might was aimed at Taiwan, the self-ruled island Beijing claims as its territory.

Admiral Timothy Keating, on his second visit since taking the helm of the U.S. Pacific Command last year, said he was concerned about China's development of new military hardware, including long-range cruise missiles and anti-satellite technology.

But he said Chinese officials insisted their military development was not aimed at any third country.

"The Chinese military officials with whom I had discussions emphasized their desire to protect those things that they think are theirs and nothing more," Keating told a news conference.

Beijing and Taiwan have faced off since the end of the Chinese civil war in 1949, and China has vowed to bring the island back under mainland rule, by force if necessary.

"They (the Chinese) specifically have no hegemonic intentions, they do not have any expansion strategy, they advocate a peaceful rise," Keating said.

But he added that he was not entirely satisfied by China's explanations and wanted further exchanges to better understand the reasons for its military growth.

"Increased transparency can lead to greater trust that reduces the potential for misunderstanding. Misunderstanding can lead to conflict or crisis and that is very much not in our interest," he said.