In a significant step towards bolstering military-to-military ties, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a constructive meeting on Friday at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. This marked their first in-person discussion since November 2022 and comes at a crucial time for China-U.S. relations.
The two defense chiefs exchanged views on a range of pressing issues, including China-U.S. relations, military cooperation, the Taiwan question, the South China Sea issue, the Ukraine crisis, and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. The meeting, initially scheduled for one hour, extended to 75 minutes, reflecting the depth and importance of the discussions.
“It was a positive, pragmatic, and constructive strategic communication,” said Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, during a press briefing after the meeting. “Generally speaking, the talks have helped both sides enhance understanding of each other to avoid miscalculations.”
Minister Dong emphasized the stabilization of the relationship between the two militaries, highlighting it as a hard-won achievement. “The two militaries should adhere to the bottom line of non-conflict and non-confrontation and serve as a real, stable cornerstone of China-U.S. relations,” he stated. Dong underscored the importance of enhancing understanding, eliminating misunderstandings, and building mutual trust through continuous communication.
Addressing the broader international context, Dong expressed hope that the United States would be consistent in its words and actions, working alongside China to implement the common understandings reached by the two heads of state. “Both sides should adhere to the principles of peace, stability, and trust, strengthen exchanges, take responsibility, and promote dialogue,” he noted.
The meeting signifies a mutual interest in exploring ways for the two militaries to coexist in a manner that aligns with their mutual interests and meets global expectations. As a next step, both sides agreed to maintain communication and exchanges through military and diplomatic channels.
The Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s premier defense and security forum, provided an apt backdrop for the talks. With global eyes on Asia’s dynamic geopolitical landscape, the dialogue between the Chinese and U.S. defense chiefs offers a glimpse into efforts to manage competition and enhance stability in the region.
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Defense chiefs of China, U.S. hold 'constructive' talks in Singapore
cgtn.com
