The Chinese Foreign Ministry notes that Rumsfeld’s first visit to Beijing will take place from Tuesday to Thursday. Among the topics of discussion, says spokesman Kong Quan, will be “bilateral and military relations between the two countries.” He also says, “The visit is imperative and helpful to promote mutual understanding.”
The U.S. military is maintaining a beefed-up presence in the Middle East, including fighters and air defense assets, following the U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities June 22 and subsequent retaliation by the Iranians against Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar.
