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Both sides have sent more military aircraft and vessels across the East and South China seas and the Taiwan Strait in recent months. Photo: Handout
ChinaMilitary

US and China maritime defence talks to resume after blame game stalled 2020 session

  • US Indo-Pacific officers to attend virtual talks beginning Tuesday under Military Maritime Consultative Agreement
  • Similar talks failed last December after the US accused the PLA of failing to attend and the Chinese said the American side tried to force the agenda
US-China relations
Teddy Ng
Teddy Ng
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US-China maritime security talks, stalled last year amid mutual accusations of sabotage, are set to resume, with three days of virtual meetings starting on Tuesday.

The annual Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group and flag officer session will feature representatives from the US Indo-Pacific Command, Pacific Fleet, and Pacific Air Forces, while People’s Liberation Army naval and air force officers will make up the Chinese delegation.

“The US remains fully committed to its allies and partners to ensure peace and stability in the region,” Major General Chris McPhillips, US delegation lead and the Indo-Pacific Command’s strategic planning and policy director, said.

“This agreement with [China] is intended to enable constructive, results-oriented dialogue that ensures safe operations and maintains regional stability,” a statement from McPhillips said.

“We are genuine in our desire to have frank conversation, develop mutual understanding, and reduce operational safety risks.”

01:37

China’s PLA conducts air force drills after US warships sail in contested South China Sea

China’s PLA conducts air force drills after US warships sail in contested South China Sea

Signed in January 1998, the military maritime consultation mechanism aims to promote safe practices for the US and Chinese navy and air forces, and establish communications procedures for real-time encounters.

Talks under the mechanism failed last December, with the US accusing the PLA of failing to attend, and US Indo-Pacific Command chief Admiral Phil Davidson saying the no-show by the PLA was an example of how “China does not honour its agreements”.

But Chinese navy spokesman Major Liu Wensheng hit back, saying the US side had pushed unilateral topic ideas and attempted to “force China’s participation in the meeting when the two sides had not yet agreed on the topics”.

China’s PLA open to good relations with US military, if based on respect

The resumption of military talks comes at a time of rising antagonism, and growing concerns about a likely clash between the world’s largest military powers, as both sides send more military aircraft and vessels across the East and South China seas, and the Taiwan Strait.

Communication between the two militaries had even been suspended for a time over protocol concerns.

US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Tuesday that the United States would expand its military and economic relationships with Asian partners to push back against China’s increasing assertiveness in the Indo-Pacific.
Blinken, who is currently touring Southeast Asia, said the Biden administration was committed to maintaining peace and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific and would do so by boosting alliances, forging new relationships and ensuring that the US military maintained “its competitive edge”.

02:10

Blinken discusses South China Sea, Taiwan Strait and regional alliances during Indonesia visit

Blinken discusses South China Sea, Taiwan Strait and regional alliances during Indonesia visit

“Threats are evolving, our security approach has to evolve with them. To do that, we will lean on our greatest strength: our alliances and partnerships,” Blinken said in Jakarta, Indonesia.

However, plans are under way for US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin to hold talks with Chinese Central Military Commission vice-chairman Xu Qiliang and Defence Minister Wei Fenghe, in a bid to reduce tensions, the South China Morning Post reported earlier.

The format and details have yet to be finalised, but a source said the talks could take place in January via a video or phone call.

Also, Chinese and American defence officials held talks on November 30 to discuss a Pentagon report that highlighted concerns over China’s growing nuclear arsenal, suggesting that the two sides were stepping up engagement.

US sends warship through Taiwan Strait again

While details of the talks were not made public, a short US statement said the two sides had held a “constructive discussion” to build understanding.

“The US wants China to increase its military transparency while China hopes the US to stop its close reconnaissance. But no agreement could be reached on such substantial topics,” military commentator Song Zhongping said.

Hence, the topics on the agenda would presumably again focus on timely hotline exchanges to prevent misjudgment, and detailed operational protocols for air and sea encounters to reduce risk, he said.

“To avoid misfire and conflict is the biggest consensus, or probably the only consensus now.”

Additional reporting by Liu Zhen and Associated Press

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