Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun called for enhanced military cooperation with the United States during a meeting with U.S. lawmakers in Beijing on Monday, emphasizing the need for 'concrete actions' to stabilize bilateral relations. The delegation, led by Congressman Adam Smith of the House Armed Services Committee, engaged in discussions framed by recent diplomatic efforts between the two nations.
Minister Dong referenced the recent phone conversation between Chinese and U.S. leaders, stating both countries 'are fully capable of achieving mutual success and common prosperity.' He highlighted the potential for strengthened military relations to benefit global stability while reaffirming China's commitment to safeguarding its sovereignty and development interests.
'We must overcome interference and adopt pragmatic measures to steer relations in the right direction,' Dong urged, addressing the congressional delegation. He proposed building a military relationship characterized by 'equality, mutual respect, and peaceful coexistence,' stressing the importance of maintaining open communication channels.
The meeting comes amid ongoing efforts to manage strategic competition between the world's two largest economies. Analysts suggest such high-level dialogues could help establish guardrails for military interactions, particularly in sensitive regions like the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.
While no immediate agreements were announced, both sides acknowledged the need to prevent misunderstandings. 'Stable military ties form the foundation for broader cooperation on climate, trade, and regional security challenges,' noted a Beijing-based geopolitical researcher following the talks.
