2024-04-16 21:23:14
“The two officials discussed the defense relationship between the United States and the People’s Republic of China, as well as regional and global security issues,” Pentagon spokesman Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.
The United States is boosting defense cooperation with allies in the Asia-Pacific region to counter China’s growing influence, but also wants to maintain communications with Beijing to prevent tensions from spiraling out of control.
“Secretary L. Austin emphasized the importance of continuing to maintain open lines of communication for direct communications between the US and PRC militaries,” the statement said. The Pentagon chief also “reiterated that the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows,” and “underscored the importance of respecting freedom of navigation on the high seas guaranteed by international law, particularly in the South China Sea.”
The last time L. Austin communicated in detail with a colleague from China was in 2022. in November when he met Wei Fenghe in Cambodia. His successor, Li Shangfu, shook Austin’s hand and spoke briefly at a defense conference in Singapore last June, but did not hold an official meeting with the Pentagon chief.
There are many differences between Washington and Beijing, particularly over Taiwan, a democratic self-governing island that China considers its territory and intends to take it back, if necessary by force.
Washington and Beijing also clash over the South China Sea. China claims almost the entire sea, and skirmishes between Chinese and Philippine ships are fueling fears that the conflict will spread. The US has also repeatedly reported incidents in recent years of Chinese warplanes and ships coming unsafely close to American planes and ships.
2024-04-16 21:23:14