Top US, Chinese military officials hold talks for first time in over a year
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The US and China are looking at resuming military-to-military ties severed in August 2022.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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WASHINGTON – The top United States military officer held a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart on Dec 21, in the first such conversation in more than a year amid hopes by US officials that it could lead to a broader restoration of ties between the two rival militaries.
The video teleconference followed an agreement between US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November to resume military-to-military ties
US Air Force General Charles Q. Brown, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and General Liu Zhenli of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) touched on a number of global and regional security issues, Gen Brown’s office said.
Gen Liu is the chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, the military body responsible for China’s combat operations and planning.
Pentagon officials say communication between the two militaries is crucial to preventing a miscalculation from spiralling into conflict.
“Gen Brown discussed the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations and maintain open and direct lines of communication,” his office said.
“Gen Brown reiterated the importance of the People’s Liberation Army engaging in substantive dialogue to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings.”
Gen Brown said in November he sent an introductory letter to Gen Liu saying he was open to meeting.
US officials have cautioned that even with some restoration of military communications, forging truly functional dialogue between the two sides could take time.
Some analysts say China seeks ambiguity in defence relations to constrain what Beijing sees as US military provocations in the region.
Washington and Beijing are at loggerheads over everything, from the future of democratically ruled Taiwan to territorial claims in the South China Sea.
Diplomatic relations are still recovering after the US downed an alleged Chinese spy balloon
On the Taiwan issue, which China deems its internal affairs, Gen Liu said the Chinese armed forces will resolutely defend state sovereignty and territorial integrity over it.
Gen Liu also asked the US to respect China’s territorial sovereignty, and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea.
“Be prudent in words and actions, and take concrete actions to safeguard regional peace and stability and the overall situation of China-US relations,” he said.
Gen Liu has emerged as the top contender to replace China’s national defence minister, General Li Shangfu, who was dismissed from his position in October.
Reuters reported in September that Gen Li was under investigation over suspected corruption related to equipment procurement and development.
In Tokyo in November, Gen Brown acknowledged corruption in the Chinese military when asked about Gen Li’s removal, and broader issues in the PLA, but also noted “alignment with Xi Jinping and his thinking as he continues to consolidate power”.
Gen Li was sanctioned by the US in 2018 for an arms deal he secured with Russia in an earlier role.
China demanded the sanctions – which include a visa ban and prohibitions on conducting US financial transactions – be lifted.
Gen Liu, 59, is not under Western sanctions. REUTERS
