U.S. Relations With the People's Republic of China (2007)

Department of Defense

Military Must Understand, Master Change, Mullen Says

By Jim Garamone
American Forces Press Service

WASHINGTON, Nov. 30, 2007 - The U.S. military needs to understand change and the pace of change to succeed in the future, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff told students at the Army War College earlier this week.

"Some of the change is happening so quickly we have no idea how (it) will end up," Navy Adm. Michael G. Mullen told the students, at Carlisle Barracks, Pa., on Nov. 28.

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The global environment has potential for pandemics. Natural disasters, such as this month's cyclone in Bangladesh, will challenge the world. Other aspects need to be watched, as well, he said. "We certainly need to be mindful of the growth in China," Mullen said.

The country can be a huge economic engine for progress, Mullen said, and he told the students that U.S. officials have raised questions about "transparency" with Chinese military leaders, urging them to be more open about their military programs.

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