In a significant development, military commanders from the Chinese mainland and the United States held a long-awaited discussion on Tuesday, reestablishing all military communication channels agreed upon during the San Francisco meeting in November 2023.
General Wu Yanan, commander of the People's Liberation Army's (PLA) Southern Theater Command, engaged in a video call with U.S. Indo-Pacific Commander Admiral Samuel Paparo. The two sides exchanged in-depth views on issues of mutual concern, according to the Chinese Defense Ministry.
The November meeting in San Francisco marked an agreement to restore various military communication mechanisms between China and the U.S. These include high-level military communication, defense department working meetings, the China-U.S. Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) work group, and calls between theater-level military leaders.
Tuesday's teleconference signifies the full resumption of these four communication mechanisms. Earlier this year, high-level communications took place during key events such as the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore and the 17th China-U.S. Defense Policy Coordination Talks in Washington, D.C.
Expert: Theater-Level Talks Aim to Manage South China Sea Interactions
The Southern Theater Command's jurisdiction covers critical areas like the South China Sea and Taiwan, overlapping with the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command's responsibilities. This overlap heightens the potential for conflicts in the region.
Military expert Zhang Junshe highlighted that direct communication between the two commanders, who oversee front-line naval and air forces, can mitigate misunderstandings. Reports from the "South China Sea Strategic Situation Probing Initiative" detailed increased U.S. military activities in the region, including the deployment of aircraft carriers and reconnaissance missions.
Zhang emphasized that during their discussions, both sides addressed pressing concerns related to maritime and air security. China reiterated that the U.S. should refrain from deploying warships and aircraft near its islands and reefs in the South China Sea, adhering to international law and respecting China's territorial sovereignty.
U.S. 'Deterrence' Strategy Towards China Sparks Regional Tension
Beyond practical exchanges, China and the U.S. need to engage in deeper cognitive-level communication, Zhang noted. Admiral Paparo, with a military family background, supports a doctrine of military supremacy as a means to peace. Conversely, China's former ambassador to the U.S., Cui Tiankai, views deterrence as a tool that should not escalate into actual threats or conflicts.
The differing perspectives underscore a cognitive gap between the two nations, necessitating thorough dialogue for mutual understanding.
Recent U.S. strategies, including reorganizing the Marine Corps in Japan and conducting joint exercises with allies in the South China Sea, aim to strengthen deterrence. Experts suggest that while these actions elevate regional tensions, allied nations may offer verbal support without significant concrete involvement.
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
