Chairman of Joint Chiefs, in China, Reassures Soviets
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PEKING — Gen. John Vessey, chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, ended a third day of talks with Chinese leaders today and pointedly assured Moscow that growing Sino-American military ties “threaten no third party.”
Vessey, the highest-ranking U.S, military officer to visit China, said he had “good discussions” on military relations with Premier Zhao Ziyang and other officials.
At a banquet for his Chinese hosts, Vessey offered a Missouri corn-liquor toast and said both armed forces could learn much from each other but, in an obvious reference to the Soviet Union, added that others need not fear closer Sino-U.S. military ties.
“It is important for all to know that our military ties are designed to promote peace and understanding, and threaten no third party,” he said.
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