US, China has held its first military negotiations on maritime risks since Trump's return – Country
The first work-level talks between U.S. and Chinese military officials since U.S. President Donald Trump took office for the second time, both sides shared their respective concerns about maritime military security.
The Indo-Pacific Command said in a statement that talks held in the eastern Chinese city of Shanghai on Wednesday and Thursday focused on “reducing insecure and unprofessional actions by the Chinese navy and air force.”
China's Ministry of Defense said that U.S. military ships and aircraft have been conducting reconnaissance, investigation and high-intensity training in the oceans and space around China, which can easily cause misunderstandings and miscalculations and endanger China's sovereignty and military security. ”
China told the United States that it will continue to “respond to all dangerous provocative actions” and “resolutely protect national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests.”
The talks were held the same week, with Beijing conducting large-scale drills in the waters and airspace on Taiwan Island. The meeting was also held after US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told his Japanese counterparts, and Japan was “an essential partner in stopping the military aggression of communist China.”
The links between Beijing and Washington have been tense over the past few years, such as trade, cybersecurity, Taiwan and the South China Sea. Under Trump, China announced retaliation measures as his administration imposes tariffs and worsens in the trade war.
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To evade China's invasion in the Indo-Pacific region, the United States has stepped up its presence in the region, crossing the Taiwan Strait and conducting exercises in the controversial South China Sea. The United States opposes any forced acquisition of Taiwan, and Beijing claims it is part of Chinese territory and vows to force if necessary.
However, both governments are also seeking to keep communications open, including through semi-annual negotiations by the Working Group.
China's Ministry of Defense said this time in Shanghai “had a frank and constructive exchange on the security situation in the maritime and air fields” and they discussed measures to improve maritime military security between the two countries.
& Copy 2025 Canadian Press
