WASHINGTON: US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke along with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun by way of video teleconference on Tuesday (Apr 16), within the first substantive talks between the superpowers’ defence chiefs in almost 18 months.
The United States has been working to strengthen defence cooperation with its allies within the Asia-Pacific area to counter China’s rising affect but additionally desires to keep up traces of communication with Beijing to stop tensions from spiralling uncontrolled.
“The two officials discussed US-PRC defence relations and regional and global security issues,” the Pentagon mentioned in an announcement, referring to the People’s Republic of China.
“Secretary Austin emphasised the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and the PRC” following talks between the 2 sides in current months, the assertion mentioned.
Austin additionally “reiterated that the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate – safely and responsibly – wherever international law allows,” and “underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea.”
Beijing, in flip, mentioned Dong had used the talks to name for higher “trust” between the 2 powers.
“China and the United States should … take peace as the most precious, stability as the most important,” Dong instructed Austin, based on a Beijing readout.
“The military sphere is the key … to stabilising the development of the relationship and preventing major crises from occurring,” Dong mentioned.
But he additionally warned the US over the self-ruled island of Taiwan, which Beijing claims as its personal.
“Dong Jun emphasised that the Taiwan issue is the core of China’s core interests,” the defence ministry readout mentioned.
He additionally urged the US to respect his nation’s place on the South China Sea, which Beijing claims virtually in its entirety and the place tensions have flared in current months.
“The US side should recognise China’s firm position, respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and take practical actions to safeguard regional peace,” Dong mentioned.
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/world/us-china-defence-chiefs-first-talks-18-months-south-china-sea-taiwan-4269751
