US and China Resume Military Talks Amid South China Sea Tensions

The United States and China have resumed high-level military talks, marking the first such engagement since tensions escalated last year. Chinese authorities confirmed that Admiral Sam Paparo, head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, held a video meeting with General Wu Yanan of China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theatre Command. This dialogue is seen as part of efforts to rebuild military ties and reduce the risk of conflict in sensitive regions such as the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait.

The conversation centered on common concerns, with Paparo urging the PLA to rethink its aggressive tactics in the South China Sea, warning of the potential for escalation. The US Indo-Pacific Command described the exchange as constructive, with a focus on preventing miscommunication and fostering clarity to avoid miscalculations.

This meeting follows a recent discussion in Beijing between US National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan and China’s top military advisor, signaling a shift towards rebuilding regular military communication channels between the two powers. Relations had hit a low point after the US shot down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon in 2022.

In a rare display of cooperation, American and Chinese troops are also participating in joint military exercises in Brazil, their first joint training since 2016. This revival of engagement comes after most US-China military interactions were frozen for two years, following the controversial visit to Taiwan by then US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi.

US Ambassador to China Nicholas Burns expressed concern about the possibility of an unintended conflict between the two militaries, highlighting the need for open communication to prevent accidents. Later this week, the US plans to send a senior Pentagon official to a security forum in China, signaling further attempts to stabilize military relations.