BEIJING: Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun and U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Friday exchanged views on China-U.S. relations, military-to-military ties, the Taiwan question, the South China Sea issue, the Ukraine crisis and the Palestinian-Israeli conflict.
Dong and Austin held talks on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s annual defense and security forum, in Singapore on Friday afternoon, the first in-person meeting between Chinese and U.S. defense chiefs since November 2022.
“It was a positive, pragmatic and constructive strategic communication,” said Wu Qian, a spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, at a press briefing after the meeting, which lasted 75 minutes, longer than the previously scheduled one hour.
The talks took place according to the agreement between China and the U.S., said Wu.
“Generally speaking, the talks have helped both sides enhance understanding of each other to avoid miscalculations,” said Wu.
As a next step, the two sides will continue to maintain communication and exchanges through military and diplomatic channels, the spokesperson told reporters in Singapore.
During the talks, Dong said the relationship between the two militaries has stabilized, which is hard-won, and the two militaries should adhere to the bottom line of non-conflict and non-confrontation and serve as a real, stable cornerstone of China-U.S. relations, according to a statement issued by the Chinese Ministry of National Defense.
The purpose of communication between the two militaries is to enhance understanding, eliminate misunderstandings and accumulate mutual trust, said Dong.
The Chinese defense minister urged the U.S. side not to disregard facts, shift blame, shirk responsibility or attempt to discredit and suppress others. –The Daily Mail-CGTN news exchange item
