- A top-level conversation between U.S. and China was held last week, in a bid to ease tensions between the two superpowers.
- Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, and Chinese Major General Huang Xueping, spoke last week to discuss how to manage tensions between the two countries.
- The meeting was the first between a senior Pentagon official and the Chinese military since the inauguration of President Joe Biden in January.
WASHINGTON D.C.: A top-level conversation between U.S. and China was held last week, in a bid to ease tensions between the two superpowers.
Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, and Chinese Major General Huang Xueping, Deputy Director for the People’s Liberation Army Office for International Military Cooperation, spoke last week to discuss how to manage tensions between the two countries.
The meeting, held via videoconferencing through the US-PRC Defense Telephone Link, was the first between a senior Pentagon official and the Chinese military since the inauguration of President Joe Biden in January.
Countering China has been a focus of U.S. national security policy for some years, with the Biden administration describing the rivalry as this century’s “biggest geopolitical test.”
The world’s two largest economies have clashed over many issues, including Taiwan, China’s military activities in the South China Sea and its human rights record.
However, to redice potential tensions and avoid accidents, U.S. military officials have sought to open lines of communication with their Chinese counterparts.
According to officials, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart have not yet held discussions, partly as there is a debate about which Chinese official is Austin’s equivalent.
The U.S. welcomes competition and does not seek conflict with Beijing, but it will highlight relevant issues, such as maritime disputes in the South China Sea, Vice President Kamala Harris said on Thursday.
Parts of the South China Sea, which has key shipping lanes, gas fields and rich fishing areas, are claimed by China, Vietnam, Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines and Taiwan.
Unlike his predecessor Donald Trump, Biden has called on allies and partners to help counter the increasingly coercive economic and foreign policies of Beijing.
Biden has also escalated sanctions against China over alleged human rights abuses in Hong Kong and Xinjiang.
