U.S.-China Defense Talks Reveal Stark Differences on Taiwan and South China Sea
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The United States and China have resumed military talks, as agreed during the summit between President Joe Biden and General Secretary and President Xi Jinping in mid-November last year. However, the differences between the two countries over Taiwan and the South China Sea were apparent. It is becoming confident that it will not be easy to narrow the gap in the future.
According to Beijing sources familiar with U.S.-China relations, on the 10th, Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, and Song Yanchao, Deputy Director of the International Military Cooperation Office of the Central Military Commission of China, met at the U.S. Department of Defense in Washington D.C. on the 8th and 9th (local time) and held the 17th U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Meeting. According to Chinese media, it was a grand meeting after four years.
In this meeting, Deputy Assistant Secretary Chase emphasized the importance of keeping communication channels open between military authorities to prevent competition between the two countries from turning into conflict while discussing U.S.-China defense relations. He also expressed his stance on the importance of safety in conducting operations in the Indo-Pacific region. Furthermore, he reaffirmed the U.S.’s will to fly and navigate safely and responsibly anywhere international law allows.
Deputy Assistant Secretary Chase emphasized that defense commitments to the Indo-Pacific and allies worldwide are ironclad. He is also reported to have expressed concern about Russia’s unjustified war in Ukraine and North Korea’s recent provocations. He also reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, stating that the U.S. maintains its longstanding ‘One China’ policy.
China highlighted its commitment to fostering a healthy and stable bilateral military relationship based on principles of equality and respect during the disclosure of the meeting’s details on the 10th. Nevertheless, China made it explicit that it will not yield on Taiwan and the South China Sea matters. China emphasized its unwavering position, stating that it “will not make concessions or retreat on the Taiwan issue” and insisted that the U.S. adhere to the “One China” principle, cease arms sales to Taiwan, and oppose any move toward Taiwanese independence.
Additionally, China called for reducing military deployments and provocative activities in the South China Sea. It urged the U.S. to cease supporting actions that infringe upon individual nations’ sovereignty and contribute to regional tensions. Furthermore, China stressed that the U.S. should fully grasp the origins of maritime and aviation security concerns and exercise strict control over frontline military forces. During the meeting, the Chinese Ministry of Defense conveyed that it firmly articulated China’s stance on critical domestic and international issues and its deep concerns.
By. Soon Do Hong
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