Despite its resistance to a strategic military dialogue with the US, it seems to crave America’s attention to its growing military might. A few days before Gates’s visit, official Chinese media published a photo of the J-20 Black Eagle, a fifth generation stealth, twin-engine fighter aircraft made in China.
但中国对中美军事对话的态度依然暧昧。中方不愿与美方展开战略军事对话，但似乎很想向美国展示其不断提升的军力。在盖茨到访前几天，中国官方媒体发布了中国自主研发的第五代双引擎歼击机J20黑鹰战机的照片。官方媒体还报道了东风21D弹道导弹的研发进展，称之为“航母杀手”。