Washington and Beijing Move to Stabilize Military Ties Amid Tensions
In a bid to prevent military misunderstandings between the world’s two superpowers, the United States and China are set to engage in high-level military talks in the coming weeks. According to the US Ambassador to China, Nicholas Burns, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, Admiral John C. Paparo, will hold a telephone conversation with the commander of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army’s (PLA) Southern Theater Command.
The announcement was made during an interview with the American magazine Foreign Policy on September 5. Burns stated that the dialogue aims to stabilize military relations between the two nations, which have been strained since the US shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon earlier this year.
Background of the Tensions
The US-China relationship hit a historical low point following the balloon incident, which Washington labeled as a threat to its national security. In response, Beijing has maintained that the balloon was a civilian weather research craft that had drifted off course. Despite the tensions, both sides have expressed a willingness to improve communication channels.
Upcoming Military Talks
According to Burns, the upcoming conversation between Admiral Paparo and the PLA Southern Theater Command’s leader is a significant step towards achieving this goal. This dialogue is crucial to ensure that any accidents or misunderstandings do not escalate into a larger conflict, Burns explained.
The ambassador’s comments come on the heels of a new round of strategic communications between the two countries in Beijing at the end of August. During these talks, both sides agreed to hold a video call between the leaders of their respective military theater commands at an appropriate time.
Expert Analysis
Military expert Zhang Junshe, speaking to the Global Times, noted that the proposed conversation is a direct outcome of the consensus reached between the two countries’ leaders during their meeting in San Francisco. If the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command and the PLA Southern Theater Command hold a phone call, it will be a new step in promoting the healthy and stable development of military relations between the two countries, Zhang said.
Strategic Importance of the Regions
The choice of the Indo-Pacific Command and the Southern Theater Command for this dialogue is not arbitrary. The US Indo-Pacific Command’s Area of Responsibility (AOR) covers much of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, overseeing US land, sea, air, and marine forces in the region. Meanwhile, the PLA Southern Theater Command is responsible for the South China Sea, where the risk of direct military contact between the two sides is highest.
Managing Disputes and Ensuring Stability
Zhang pointed out that the US Indo-Pacific Command’s activities, such as the so-called freedom of navigation operations near Chinese islands and reefs in the South China Sea, are closely watched and managed by the PLA Southern Theater Command. The upcoming phone call will help manage differences more effectively and prevent any accidental clashes between front-line troops, Zhang added.
Addressing Concerns and Maintaining Peace
During his interview, Burns also raised concerns about China’s aggressive military expansion and what he described as aggressive and intimidating behavior by the Chinese Navy towards US allies, including the Philippines and Japan. However, Zhang argued that the current tensions in the South China Sea are a result of repeated provocations by the Philippines. He called on the US to respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights in the region and to cease encouraging the Philippines’ provocative actions.
Conclusion
The upcoming military talks signal a willingness on both sides to manage and reduce tensions. As the world watches, the success of these conversations will likely play a significant role in shaping the future of US-China relations and ensuring regional stability.
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