China, US defence chiefs agree to Asean rules on encounters between warplanes
●James Mattis says regional military chiefs endorsed guidelines at annual meeting in Singapore
●They encourage planes to establish communications with other aircraft, clearly identify themselves and avoid manoeuvres that could provoke a response
Defence chiefs from the US and China agreed in principle to guidelines on encounters between warplanes, in the latest bid by Pacific nations to keep increased military activity from unintentionally escalating into conflict.
US Secretary of Defence James Mattis said he and seven other regional military chiefs, including China’s General Wei Fenghe, gave broad endorsement to the rules in Singapore on Saturday, during an annual meeting hosted by the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. The non-binding guidelines had been formally adopted a day earlier by defence ministers from Asean’s 10 member nations.
The document, which follows similar guidelines on naval encounters signed in 2014, encourages military planes to establish communications with other aircraft, clearly identify themselves and avoid manoeuvres or gestures that could provoke a response. “These guidelines will help reduce the likelihood of encounters or incidents spiralling into conflict in the event of a miscalculation,” it said.
The 18-member Asean-Plus Eight Partners also includes Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, Russia and South Korea. The full grouping could formally adopt the air encounter guidelines during next year’s Asean meetings in Thailand.
The rules represent the latest attempt to manage a surge in military activity in the western Pacific as China extends its naval and air reach. The US – the region’s dominant security power since the second world war – has stepped up its presence to assert free navigation rights in the South China Sea and other waters claimed by Beijing.