Military leaders from the United States and China recently held talks in Beijing, marking the resumption of routine discussions that had been halted for two years due to strained relations between the two countries. The meetings, which concluded on Sunday, covered various ongoing issues such as Taiwan, the conflict in Ukraine, and tensions in the South China Sea.
The U.S. delegation, led by Michael Chase, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, participated in the bilateral Defense Policy Coordination Talks, a forum last convened in January. Although the talks were not anticipated to resolve deep-rooted disagreements on matters like territorial claims in the South China Sea or Taiwan’s status, the U.S. sees these discussions as crucial for averting potential conflicts.
The meetings followed Chase’s attendance at the Xiangshan forum in Beijing, a defense gathering akin to the Shangri-La Dialogue. Communication between the U.S. and Chinese militaries ceased in 2021 amidst escalating tensions concerning Taiwan, the origins of the COVID-19 pandemic, and economic disputes.
Despite persistent U.S. efforts to resume dialogue, Beijing had previously rebuffed engagement requests, particularly regarding encounters between American and Chinese military assets. Communication channels were partially reinstated after a meeting between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in San Francisco last November, although the continuity of talks remains uncertain given the upcoming U.S. presidential elections.
During the recent bilateral talks, discussions encompassed China’s support for Russia amid the Ukraine conflict and its activities in the South China Sea. Notably, a U.S. defense official disclosed that the Philippine vessel at a disputed shoal, BRP Teresa Magbanua, had departed for resupply operations and crew medical aid. Both sides closely monitored further developments in the region.
China’s territorial assertions in the South China Sea have grown more forceful, leading to clashes with the Philippine coast guard. Past altercations include a collision that resulted in severe damage to Philippine vessels. Tensions have escalated around sites like the Sabina Shoal, which both China and the Philippines claim.
In response to previous attempts to resupply BRP Teresa Magbanua, China obstructed the mission with a fleet of 40 vessels. As the Philippines plans to replace the ship promptly, concerns persist over potential Chinese encroachment on the shoal. Evidence of coral destruction by China has raised apprehensions about its intentions to fortify claims in the area.
China acknowledged the departure of the Philippine ship, citing violations of its territorial sovereignty. A spokesperson for the China Coast Guard asserted that multiple Philippine efforts to resupply the vessel were lawfully intercepted by China in adherence to national regulations.