U.S. and Chinese defense officials convened this week after nearly a two-year hiatus to address concerns surrounding incidents of aggression involving their respective military assets in the Pacific region.
The talks, held from Wednesday through Thursday in Hawaii, signify a renewed effort at dialogue after Beijing abruptly halted communications following a visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan, a territory claimed by China.
Chinese officials have expressed discontent with U.S. support for Taiwan, viewing it as interference in their domestic affairs.
During the meetings, the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group assessed safety-related incidents from recent years and explored strategies to uphold operational safety and professionalism between the two nations.
A U.S. official, speaking anonymously due to authorization constraints, noted, “We’ve observed a reduction in unsafe behavior between us and PLA [People’s Liberation Army] aircraft and vessels over the last several months, so we’re encouraged by that.”
Colonel Ian Francis, leading the U.S. delegation, emphasized the importance of clear communication to prevent accidents and misunderstandings, stating, “The United States will continue to operate safely and professionally in the Indo-Pacific wherever international law allows, and we take this responsibility seriously.”
The meetings, which included approximately 18 senior officials from each side, marked a significant step in diplomatic efforts to mitigate tensions.
China’s ambitions to control access to the South China Sea and assert authority over Taiwan, including through military means if necessary, remain contentious issues.
In response, President Joe Biden has reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to defending Taiwan.
Since Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022, China has intensified its provocative actions, including breaching the median line in the Taiwan Strait and launching missiles near Taiwan and into Japan’s exclusive economic zone.
Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific affairs, testified in October 2023 about over 180 reckless intercepts of U.S. military aircraft by Chinese counterparts in the past two years, a significant escalation compared to previous years.
In one alarming incident, a Chinese pilot flew dangerously close to a U.S. Air Force B-52 in international airspace over the South China Sea, highlighting the potential risks of such confrontations.
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