US Seeks to Reactivate Military Channels with China
In a move aimed at preventing conflicts and reducing tensions, the United States and China have agreed to re-establish military communication channels. This decision was announced by U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin following discussions with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun.
Key Discussions at the Summit
The meeting between Austin and Dong took place on the sidelines of a regional summit in Malaysia. This gathering followed talks between Presidents Xi Jinping and Donald Trump in South Korea. According to a post on X by Austin, the two leaders agreed that the relationship between the United States and China is better than ever. The two also agreed on the necessity of establishing military communication channels to avoid disputes and de-escalate any potential issues. These channels existed for years but were sometimes inactive.
Dong Jun emphasized the importance of bolstering policy-level dialogue to strengthen trust, dispel doubts, and build a military relationship based on equality, respect, peaceful coexistence, and stable positive momentum, as stated in a statement released by the Chinese Defense Ministry.
Context of the Agreement
Earlier this year, Austin had warned that China was seriously preparing to use military force to alter the balance of power in Asia, which drew strong criticism from Beijing. The situation is further complicated by China’s claims over the entire South China Sea, despite claims by its neighbors. Tensions have also flared over Taiwan, which Beijing considers part of its territory and opposes any official contact with. The visit of then-U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan in 2022 led to military exercises by China around the self-governing island.
Looking Ahead
Further meetings on this subject are expected soon, though specific details were not disclosed. The reactivation of military channels is seen as a crucial step toward managing the complex relationship between the two global powers and mitigating potential conflicts.
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