22-12-2023 (WASHINGTON) The highest-ranking US military official, General Charles Q. Brown, engaged in a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart, General Liu Zhenli, on Thursday (Dec 21), marking the first such conversation in over a year. The dialogue is seen as a crucial step towards the restoration of broader military ties between the United States and China, following an agreement between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping last month.
The decision to resume military-to-military ties came after a hiatus initiated by Beijing in response to a visit by then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to self-ruled Taiwan in August 2022. General Brown and General Liu discussed various global and regional security issues during the video teleconference, according to a statement from Brown’s office.
General Liu serves as the chief of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission (CMC), overseeing China’s combat operations and planning. Pentagon officials emphasize the significance of communication between the two militaries to prevent misunderstandings that could escalate into conflict.
“Gen. Brown discussed the importance of working together to responsibly manage competition, avoid miscalculations, and maintain open and direct lines of communication,” stated Brown’s office, emphasizing the need for substantive dialogue to reduce the likelihood of misunderstandings.
Last month, General Brown expressed his openness to a meeting by sending an introductory letter to General Liu. Liu underscored that a healthy, stable, and sustainable military-to-military relationship requires the US to have a “correct understanding of China,” according to a statement from the Chinese defence ministry.
US officials caution that although there is a partial restoration of military communications, establishing functional dialogue may take time. Some analysts suggest that China prefers ambiguity in defence relations to limit what it perceives as US military provocations in the region.
Tensions between Washington and Beijing extend to various issues, including the future of Taiwan and territorial claims in the South China Sea. Diplomatic relations are still recovering from the US downing an alleged Chinese spy balloon in February.
On the Taiwan issue, Liu emphasized that Chinese armed forces will resolutely defend state sovereignty and territorial integrity. He called for the US to respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, urging prudence in words and actions to safeguard regional peace and stability.
General Liu, recently emerging as the top contender to replace China’s national defence minister, General Li Shangfu, who was dismissed last month, is not under Western sanctions. Li, previously sanctioned by the US in 2018 for an arms deal with Russia, faced demands from China to lift the sanctions.
In Tokyo last month, General Brown acknowledged corruption within the Chinese military, particularly regarding Li’s removal, but also noted alignment with Xi Jinping’s thinking as he consolidates power.
