China does not have the capability to challenge US

NEWS ITEM	WORDS	MEANINGS
The United States and China held their highest-level military talks in seven years this week in Washington, during the visit of the chief of staff of the People's Liberation Army, General Chen Bingde. While military ties between the two countries have long lagged behind stronger relations in business and other areas, and pointed differences of view remain, the two sides say the frank talks have helped build understanding. Getting military-to-military ties more in tune with each other's views and interests was one of the main objectives of talks and exchanges this week between the U.S. and China. In addition to a joint performance by the two countries' bands, there were in-depth discussions between General Chen and his U.S. counterpart, Admiral Mike Mullen, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. The threat that China's growing military might pose to the United States and other countries in the Asia-Pacific region is one big concern, and an area where assumptions differ. General Chen dismissed such concerns at a news conference at the Pentagon Wednesday. He said a 20-year gap exists between the U.S. and Chinese militaries. (VOA, 19 May 2011)	chief of staff	one of the highest-ranking officers in the armed forces
	lagged	moved or developed slowly
	pointed	sharp; conspicuous
	frank	honest and direct in what you say
	in tune	in agreement
	exchanges	conversations
	bands	small groups of musicians
	counterpart	a person having the same function as another
	pose	cause; create
	concern	feeling of worry; anxiety
	assumptions	suppositions; hypotheses
	dismissed	refused to accept that it might be true; waved aside

Exercise

Fill in the blanks with the following words:

1. exchange 2. frank 3. counterparts 4. band 5. lagging

1. He's . . . . . behind a bit - I think we'd better wait for him to catch us up.

2. To be . . . . . with you, I think your son has little chance of passing the exam.

3. The Prime Minister was involved in a heated . . . . . with opposition MPs.

4. The Beatles are probably the most famous . . . . . in the world.

5. The Prime Minister is to meet his European . . . . . to discuss the war against drugs.

Answer key: 1. lagging 2. frank 3. exchange 4. band 5. counterparts