?????? At the invitation of the Chinese People’s Institute of Foreign Affairs (CPIFA), Mr. Charles Freeman Jr, former US Assistant Secretary of Defense, visited Beijing from November 14 to 19, 2010. During his stay, General Ma Xiaotian, Deputy Chief of General Staff of the People’s Liberation Army, Vice Foreign Minister Cui Tiankai, Vice Minister Sun Yafu of Taiwan Affairs Office of the State Council, met him respectively. Amb. Chen Yonglong, Vice President of CPIFA, hosted a dinner in Mr. Freeman’s honor. Mr. Freeman also attended the roundtable discussions with experts and scholars from the China Institute for International Strategic Studies, the Institute of American Studies of Chinese Academy of Social Sciences, the China Institute of Contemporary International Relations. Both sides exchanged views on Sino-US relations, China-US military-to-military exchanges, the situation inside Taiwan Island, South Korea-US joint military exercises in Yellow Sea, South China Sea issue, Diaoyudao issue, China-India board issue, the reform and development of the global system, US diplomacy and war strategy.

?????? Mr. Freeman said it is very important for China and the US to continue exchanges in all fields. Both sides should find ways to further enhance communication and dialogue, increase understanding and promote mutual trust.?