US, China Military Leaders Hold First High-Level Call in Two Years
US and Chinese military commanders held a long-awaited call on Tuesday to discuss the rising tensions in the Asia-Pacific region, marking the first high-level communication between the two powers in over two years, CNN reports.
The video conference, conducted between US Indo-Pacific Command Adm. Samuel Paparo and Gen. Wu Yanan, commander of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, marked a renewed effort to repair military communication lines severed in August 2022 following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
The call comes amidst a backdrop of intensifying rivalry between the two superpowers, fueled by Beijing’s assertive actions in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan, which the Chinese government claims as its own territory.
According to a White House statement, Adm. Paparo emphasized the importance of sustained communication between senior military leaders to “clarify intent and reduce the risk of misperception or miscalculation.” He also expressed concerns about “several recent PLA unsafe interactions with US allies” and urged the PLA to “comply with international laws and norms to ensure operational safety.”
Chinese state media confirmed the talks, stating that the two sides “exchanged in-depth views on issues of common concern.”
The resumption of commander-level talks is particularly significant given heightened tensions in the South China Sea. In recent months, Chinese and Philippine ships have engaged in a series of confrontations, raising concerns about the potential for escalation.
The US has reiterated its commitment to defend the Philippines, a treaty ally, against any aggression in the region. Experts warn that a miscalculation in the South China Sea could lead to a regional conflict between the world’s two largest economies, and that a lack of communication could exacerbate this risk.
Beyond the South China Sea, the call takes place against a backdrop of broader friction between the US and China, including concerns over Beijing’s close ties to Russia and its support for Moscow’s defense industry, as well as China’s anxieties about the US strengthening ties with regional allies to counter Chinese influence.
