US and China Engage in First Military Dialogue in Years Amidst Tensions

The United States and China conducted their first high-level military dialogue in years. The engagement, involving US Indo-Pacific command's Admiral Samuel Paparo and Chinese General Wu Yanan, addressed the importance of sustained communication to avoid misunderstandings and highlighted concerns over recent unsafe interactions by the Chinese military.

Military commanders from the United States and China have re-engaged in high-level dialogue for the first time in years, according to the US Indo-Pacific Command. Admiral Samuel Paparo, commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, conducted a video teleconference with General Wu Yanan, the Chinese People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Southern Theatre Command commander, on September 9.

Both commanders had a constructive and respectful exchange of views, as stated in a White House readout of the call. This dialogue follows a bilateral meeting in November 2023 between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping, where both leaders agreed to resume military-to-military communication between the US Department of Defense and the PLA.

During the teleconference, Admiral Paparo emphasized the importance of maintaining open communication lines to clarify intentions and reduce risks of misinterpretation or miscalculation. He cited recent unsafe Chinese military interactions with US allies and stressed the need for the PLA to adhere to international laws and norms.

Admiral Paparo also urged the Chinese military to reconsider coercive and potentially escalatory tactics in regions like the South China Sea. He expressed hope for future dialogues with General Wu and other Chinese military leaders.

Last month, US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan visited Beijing, where plans for this call were announced. Sullivan's visit aimed to maintain communication channels and responsibly manage US-China relations. The White House announced that a call between President Biden and President Xi is planned for the coming weeks.

In a meeting on August 29 with General Zhang Youxia, Vice Chairman of the Central Military Commission in Beijing, Sullivan reiterated the responsibility of both nations to prevent their competition from escalating into conflict.

The reaffirmation of the importance of regular military communications marks a significant step in high-level diplomacy between the two countries, the White House noted.

(With inputs from agencies.)