In this photo proved by the Defense Department, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, Taiwan and Mongolia Michael Chase hosts delegates from China for the annual U.S.-PRC Defense Policy Coordination Talks at the Pentagon, on Tuesday, Jan. 9, 2024. (AP)

By Smartencyclopedia Staff & Agencies

In a significant diplomatic development, the United States and China concluded two days of military talks in Washington on Tuesday, marking a pivotal step in rebuilding military-to-military ties after a hiatus. The engagement was initiated following an agreement between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping late last year to resume communication channels that had been severed by Beijing in response to a visit by then-House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi to self-ruled Taiwan in August 2022.

Michael Chase, the deputy assistant secretary of defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, engaged in discussions with China’s Major General Song Yanchao, deputy director of the Central Military Commission Office for international military cooperation. This meeting represented the 17th U.S.-China defense policy coordination talks, focusing on U.S.-PRC defense relations.

“The two sides discussed U.S.-PRC defense relations, and Dr. Chase highlighted the importance of maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication to prevent competition from veering into conflict,” the Pentagon stated, using the acronym for the People’s Republic of China.

Last month, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Charles Q. Brown held a virtual meeting with his Chinese counterpart, General Liu Zhenli, emphasizing the necessity of communication to avoid miscalculations that could escalate into conflict.

While some restoration of military communications has taken place, U.S. officials caution that building a fully functional dialogue between the two sides may require time. Tensions persist between Washington and Beijing on various fronts, including the future of Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea. Diplomatic relations faced a setback earlier this year when the U.S. downed an alleged Chinese spy balloon in February.

Taiwan, a key point of contention, is holding presidential and parliamentary polls this weekend amid heightened rhetoric between Taiwan and China. Despite the Taiwanese government’s objections, China asserts its territorial claims over the island. The military talks between the U.S. and China add a layer of complexity to an already delicate geopolitical landscape, emphasizing the importance of ongoing dialogue to manage and mitigate potential conflicts.