New U.S. Pacific Air Forces Commander General Lori Robinson hopes to continue dialogue with China, regarding efforts to avoid dangerous encounters between U.S. and Chinese military aircraft.

The Associated Press recently held and interview with the first female commander of a major U.S command, where she said continuing dialogue would be for the mutual benefit of the U.S. and China.

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"The dialogue is beginning. I think that's very, very good for the region," Robinson said in a telephone interview from Pacific Air Forces headquarters in Hawaii. She took ovr command of PACAF on October 17.

Gen. Robinson said she anticipates being a participant in China biggest air show taking place in the middle of the month, and hopes she could have a speaking engagement there to renew dialogue on the issue of dangerous encounters on international air space.

In August, a Chinese fighter jet came within 9 meters or 30 feet of a U.S. Navy P-8 over the South China Sea, a situation which raised concern over risky flight maneuvers and aerial engagements in the area.

It also revived memories of a collision in 2001 between a U.S. surveillance plane and a Chinese jetfighter. The Chinese pilot was killed and the U.S. plane was heavily damaged, forcing it to land at a Chinese base on Hainan Island.

Last year, China declared an air-defense identification zone over disputed islands in the East China Sea, further alarming the U.S. and its allies. U.S. and Japanese defense officials do not recognize the zone because the area it encompasses includes Japanese territory.

Japan said it has increased jet scramblings by almost 30 percent in response to approaches by Chinese planes.

Gen. Robinson said the U.S. wants all parties to follow internationally recognized norms for flight safety.  She said it was vital that Beijing and Washington work toward an understanding.

"I never say never. What I will say is that what's important is that we do start the dialogue," Robinson said.

The 10^th China International Aviation and Aerospace Exhibition, or simply Air Show China, will be held on Nov. 11-16 in Zhubai, Guandgong, China. In the preceeding Air Show in 2012, some 141 military and trade delegations took part, making it the most successful of these Air Shows in the country.

TagsPACAF, US Air Force, General Robinson