Let’s Be Candid?

Both leaders of their respective defense establishments in the US and China used much the same language during a press conference to describe their meeting in Beijing. From Chinese Minister of Defense Cao Gangchuan: “I think that our dialogue has been pragmatic, candid, and productive.” From American Defense Secretary Robert Gates: “The United States has a relationship with China that is candid, constructive, and cooperative. Washington has criticized Beijing for its lack of transparency about its military buildup. Gates said that he brought up a sore subject, that of the Chinese anti-satellite test. He said in response to a question, “I raised our concerns about it, and there was no further discussion.” That’s candid.