Representatives from the Chinese and US militaries recently convened in Hawaii for a working group meeting of the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA), according to a statement released by the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday.
The meeting, which took place from May 28 to 29, was guided by a shared consensus on building a constructive China-US relationship grounded in strategic stability, equality, and mutual respect. During the sessions, both sides engaged in candid and constructive exchanges regarding the current state of air and maritime safety and security.
A key focus of the discussions was the evaluation of the Rules of Behavior for Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters, which have been in effect since the establishment of the MMCA in 2025. The two parties explored various measures to further improve security and safety protocols to ensure stability in the region.
The PLA highlighted that effective communication and regular exchanges between the two militaries are essential. Such dialogues help frontline troops perform their duties with greater professionalism, deepen mutual understanding, and, most importantly, avoid misperceptions and potential miscalculations.
While emphasizing the value of dialogue, the PLA reaffirmed China's firm opposition to any actions that undermine its sovereignty and security under the pretext of freedom of navigation and overflight. The statement further noted that China opposes any infringement, provocation, close-in reconnaissance, or harassment. The PLA concluded that China will remain steadfast in safeguarding its national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests to uphold regional peace and prosperity.
Reference(s):
Chinese, US militaries hold meeting in Hawaii on air, maritime safety
cgtn.com
