The PLA at Home and Abroad - Strategic Studies Institute - U.S. Army

defense consultations as an important mechanism for
promoting “better mutual trust and mutual exchange
and cooperation.” 15 The frequency with which China
has participated in security consultations in recent
years underscores the emphasis that the central government
places on maintaining a stable regional and
international environment. China reportedly participated
in a total of 46 security consultations with
at least 20 different countries in 2005-06. 16 The countries
that engage in defense consultation with China
include Japan, the United States, France, the United
Kingdom (UK), Australia, Greece, Russia, Thailand,
Malaysia, India, and Poland. 17
The PLA does not always participate in strategic
dialogues and consultations. Therefore, new developments
or changes in the level of direct PLA participation
can be indicators of improvement or deterioration
in China’s relations with a given country. A significant
development occurred during the fifth round of the
China-U.S. Strategic Dialogue in January 2008. Major
General Ding Jingong, deputy director of the Foreign
Affairs Office of the Chinese Ministry of National Defense,
became the first Chinese military official to participate
in the dialogues. His American counterpart,
Assistant Secretary of Defense James Shinn, was the
first Department of Defense (DoD) representative to
attend the dialogues. 18 Although PLA officials have
participated in consultations with other countries, including
Greece, France, and Germany, they had not
previously participated in dialogues with the United
States. This development took place during a relatively
positive period in U.S.-China military relations.
Military Attaché Offices and Embassy/Consulate Websites.
As China has become increasingly engaged in
the international community, it has correspondingly
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