U.S. eyes China's naval power on high-level visit

The commander of the U.S. Pacific Fleet recently said he was seeking to understand the intent of China's naval build-up as he began a week-long trip aimed at deepening military ties. "When asked if the PLA navy is a threat, I've been on the record as saying no," Admiral Gary Roughead told reporters when asked if China's build-up posed a threat to the U.S. presence in the region or to Taiwan. "But I really would like to know what the intent is in some of the developments that I see in the PLA navy," he added. Taiwan is a self-governed island that Beijing claims as its own and says it must return to the mainland. China has said it would attack Taiwan if it formally declares independence. China and the United States cut military contacts after a fighter jet collided with a U.S. surveillance plane in 2001, killing the Chinese pilot and forcing the U.S. crew to land in China, where they were held for 11 days.