US concerned over China's new weapons

US Secretary of Defense Robert Gates (right) listens to questions from the press as his press secretary Geoff Morrell points to a reporter onboard a military aircraft enroute to China. -- PHOTO: AFP

ABOARD A US MILITARY AIRCRAFT - US DEFENSE Secretary Robert Gates on Saturday voiced concern over China's latest hi-tech weaponry and called for improving uneasy military relations with Beijing to help defuse tensions.

Speaking to reporters en route to Beijing for three days of talks, Mr Gates said the Chinese appeared to have made more progress in building its first stealth fighter jet than previously thought and that an anti-ship missile posed a potential threat to the US military.

'They clearly have the potential to put some of our capabilities at risk. And we have to pay attention to them, we have to respond appropriately with our own programs,' Mr Gates said.

But he said the advances in weaponry underlined the importance of building a dialogue with the Chinese military, and said his visit starting Sunday hopefully would lay the ground for deeper US defence ties with Asia's rising power.

With Chinese President Hu Jintao due in Washington for a pivotal state visit on Jan 19, both sides are anxious to show progress in defence ties, which China has repeatedly suspended over US arms sales to Taiwan. -- AFP