Senior representatives of the US defense departments and China met in Beijing for routine talks that resumed in January after a two-year hiatus due to worsening relations between the two countries, the Associated Press reported, citing BTA.
Consultations ended today, with officials discussing current issues such as Taiwan, the Russia-Ukraine war and clashes in the South China Sea.
At the head of the American delegation is Michael Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, Taiwan and Mongolia. Although the talks were not expected to resolve long-standing differences in positions on issues ranging from South China Sea claims to Taiwan, the US continued to push for the discussions as a way to avoid conflict.
Chase previously attended the "Xianshan“ in Beijing - a defense forum that is China's answer to the security conference "Shangri-La Dialogue”.
Communication between the US and Chinese militaries broke down in 2021 as tensions between Washington and Beijing escalated over deepening differences over issues such as Taiwan's sovereignty, the origins of COVID-19 and economic issues.
In the past, Beijing has ignored US requests for contact, particularly in relation to confrontations between US and Chinese aircraft and ships. Although communications were resumed after US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping met in San Francisco last November, it is unclear whether talks can continue as the US has a presidential election ahead.