US and Chinese officials held a meeting at the Pentagon on Monday and Tuesday to address US-PRC relations, as stated in a news release by the Pentagon on Tuesday. The discussions focused on military-to-military communication and the significance of operational safety in the Indo-Pacific region.
The discussions, involving Dr. Michael Chase from the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China and Maj. Gen. Song Yanchao from China's Deputy Director of the Central Military Commission Office for International Military Cooperation, took place this year following a series of previous cancellations by the PRC.
US-China Military Officials Discuss Relations
The meetings have been taking place since 2005, with the most recent one being held in January 2020 in Beijing. In a statement released on Tuesday, the Pentagon emphasized the United States' unwavering commitment to its allies in the Indo-Pacific and around the world.
The statement also highlighted the US's dedication to operating safely and responsibly within the boundaries of international law. Additionally, it was mentioned that Chase reaffirmed the United States' dedication to the "One China" policy.
During the meeting, it was announced by a defense official that both parties have agreed to organize military-to-military exchanges for the remainder of the year. This schedule may potentially include anticipated discussions between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and the recently appointed Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun.
In previous conversations, we have engaged in discussions regarding the significance of crisis communications and crisis management. It is worth noting that they tend to emphasize crisis prevention. However, this topic has been and will likely remain a subject of ongoing discussion.
The discussions this week come after a meeting between China's Ji Xinping and President Joe Biden in November, which Biden described as "highly constructive and productive."
Per CNN, the Pentagon stated on Tuesday that it will maintain ongoing discussions with counterparts in the People's Republic of China regarding future engagements between defense and military officials at various levels.
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US, China Tackle Taiwan Reunification
During a briefing with reporters before the meetings, a senior US defense official acknowledged that the resumption of talks is a positive development. However, the official emphasized that there are still notable differences between the two militaries.
One of these differences is the potential implications of China's movement towards reunification with Taiwan, which could potentially involve the US in aiding Taiwan's defense. The official spoke to the press on the condition of anonymity to provide details ahead of the meeting.
China expressed strong dissatisfaction with Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in 2022, as it considers the island to be part of its territory and interprets visits by foreign government officials as a form of acknowledging Taiwan's sovereignty. She held the distinction of being the most senior American official to make a visit to Taiwan in a quarter of a century.
In recent years, the Pentagon has encountered growing challenges in establishing communication with the Chinese military due to a significant increase in intercepts between US and Chinese aircraft and ships. Based on the Pentagon's latest report on China's military power, it appears that Beijing has been uncooperative in terms of military-to-military communications and meetings with the Pentagon over the past couple of years.
According to The Independent, the report emphasized the importance of engaging in discussions to mitigate the potential for operational incidents or miscalculations escalating into more serious crises or conflicts.
