US Defense Secretary Austin discusses regional and global security issues with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun

Asia-Pacific, News, US April 18, 2024 , by IRIA No Comments

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin conducted his first virtual with China’s Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun, on April 16, 2024. The two defense chiefs discussed U.S.-China defense relations and global security issues, the Pentagon said in a statement.

“Secretary Austin underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea,” a Pentagon press release said.

“The Secretary also reiterated that the United States remains committed to our longstanding one-China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances, and he reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the Strait,” the press release added.

Austin also “discussed Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine and expressed concerns about recent provocations from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK)” during the call.

According to a Chinese state-owned media outlet, Dong said the heads of state of China and the United States are committed to stabilizing and improving bilateral relations, stressing that both militaries should serve as a cornerstone for maintaining such stability.

This morning, I spoke via video teleconference with PRC Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun. We discussed U.S.-PRC defense relations, regional and global security issues, and the importance of open lines of military-to-military communication. https://t.co/iGKeZcG1C9
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) April 16, 2024

He told his American counterpart that the Taiwan issue is a fundamental aspect of China’s non-negotiable core interests. Dong reiterated that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army remains prepared against any power that is promoting “Taiwan independence” or providing external backing for separatist endeavors.

Underscoring the importance of stability within the South China Sea, Dong called upon the U.S. to acknowledge China’s resolute position and implement tangible measures to maintain regional peace, along with fostering stability in bilateral relations and military interactions between the two nations.

Military-to-military communication

Pentagon Press Secretary Air Force Major General Pat Ryder said during a briefing that the call between the two defense chiefs was arranged to keep military-to-military communication lines open between the U.S. and China.

“The department will continue to engage in active discussions with PRC [People’s Republic of China] counterparts about future engagements between defense and military officials at multiple levels, as agreed by President Biden and PRC President Xi Jinping in November 2023,” Ryder said.

The recent conversation follows the meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping in November, marking a significant development after months of strained relations between the two nations. In 2023, China rejected a U.S. proposal for Secretary Austin to meet with his then-counterpart, Li Shangfu, at the Shangri-La Dialogue Security Forum in Singapore.

US and China flags — *^{The United States and China flags. (Image Credit: U.S. DoD)}*

Earlier in December last year, United States Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General CQ Brown also conducted a virtual meeting with his Chinese military counterpart, People’s Liberation Army General Liu Zhenli.

In January, senior U.S. and Chinese defense officials gathered for two days at the Pentagon to discuss defense relations between the two countries. And earlier this month U.S. and Chinese officials met for working-level talks aimed at ensuring professional and safe interactions between the two countries’ air and naval forces.