First discussions between US and Chinese defense leaders since 2022

For the first time in over a year, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese colleague Dong Jun held a video teleconference on Tuesday, according to the Pentagon.

Pentagon press secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters that they talked about bilateral ties as well as matters related to regional and international security.

Secretary Austin stressed the value of maintaining open channels of military-to-military contact between the United States and the People’s Republic of China throughout the conversation.

In addition, Ryder emphasized the significance of upholding the freedom of passage on the high seas that is protected by international law, particularly in the South China Sea. He also reaffirmed that the United States will keep flying, sailing, and conducting business in a safe and responsible manner wherever international law permits.

Austin reaffirmed that the United States is still dedicated to its One China Policy, which is based on the Six Assurances, the Taiwan Relations Act, and the Three Joint Communiques.

Ryder said, “Austin also talked about the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine as well as worries about North Korea.”

Since November 2022, Austin and his Chinese colleague have not had a meaningful conversation.

In order to avoid miscalculations by either side and avert a conflict, US President Joe Biden and his Chinese counterpart Xi Jinping met in San Francisco last November for a bilateral summit that cleared the way for the start of military-to-military and “clear and open” communication between their countries’ defense establishments.