U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin had a conversation with his Chinese counterpart through video teleconference on Tuesday. This is the first dialogue between the two super powers defense chiefs in nearly 18 months. The discussion mainly focused on the importance of maintaining open lines of military communication to prevent tensions from escalating, US-China defense relations and regional and global security issues.
The call is the fresh start to strengthen the ties considering the president of China, agreed in San Francisco to continue military engagements that China paused after Nancy Pelosi; US House Speaker visited Taiwan in 2022.
Austin recapitulated the significance of “respect for high seas freedom of navigation as guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea.” Referring to the People’s Republic of China, the Pentagon said in a statement “The two officials discussed US-PRC defense relations and regional and global security issues”. Dong Jun stated to Austin, “Military affairs were the key to implementing the two presidents’ consensus to stabilise and improve bilateral relations. The armed forces of China and the US “should search for a way to get along with each other, and base their interactions on cherishing peace, prioritising stability and building trust”, according to a statement released by his ministry on Wednesday.
The United States has been trying its best to stabilize defense cooperation with its allies in the Asia-Pacific region to offset China’s growing influence but at the same time also wants to balance lines of communication with Beijing to prevent growing tensions.
The Pentagon still very worried about Chinese behaviour around the Second Thomas Shoal, a disputed reef in the South China Sea. Chinese coastguard has tried to stop the Philippines from resupplying marines on a ship recently, called the Sierra Madre that is lodged on the reef.
However, the senior defence official on Monday said China had not agreed still to arrange a meeting between the head of Indo-Pacific command, Admiral John Aquilino, and his two counterparts in the People’s Liberation Army.
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