Defense chiefs of China, U.S. hold 'constructive' talks in Singapore

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.

On military-to-military relations

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.

He also noted that a sound development of a military-to-military relationship between China and the United States is in the common interest of both sides, and also follows the general expectation of the international community.

The Chinese defense minister expressed hope that the U.S. will be consistent in its words and deeds, act in the same direction as the Chinese side, and effectively implement the common understandings reached by the two heads of state.

Both sides should adhere to the principles of peace, stability and trust, strengthen exchanges, take responsibility, and promote exchanges, so as to explore a way for the two militaries to get along with each other that is in line with their mutual interests and meets the expectations of the rest of the world, said Dong.

On the Taiwan question

The Chinese defense minister stated China's solid position on the Taiwan question.

Dong said the Taiwan question is an utterly internal affair for China in which external forces have no right to interfere, in comments referring to the U.S. side sending "congratulations" and a delegation when Lai Ching-te assumed the role of the Taiwan region's new leader weeks ago.

What the U.S. has done seriously violates the one-China principle and the three China-U.S. joint communiques, breaches its commitments, and sends a seriously wrong signal to "Taiwan independence" separatist forces, he said. "The Chinese side is resolutely opposed to this."

Dong urged the U.S. to correct its wrongdoing, abide by the one-China principle, and not to assist "Taiwan independence" with force in any way.

On the South China Sea issue

China opposes the deployment of a mid-range missile system by the U.S. in the Philippines under the excuse of military exercises, Dong told Austin during the talks.

That poses a substantial threat to regional security, he said.

Dong said the Philippines' faithless and provocative acts on Ren'ai Jiao are closely related to instigation and support from external forces.

China will continue to resolve differences through consultations on an equal footing on the basis of commitments being honored, but will not condone intensified provocative acts, he said.

On the Ukraine crisis

Dong said China will continue to promote peace talks and play a constructive role in the Ukraine crisis, but it firmly opposes the shifting of blame or dodging of responsibility by the U.S. side.

China has always maintained an objective and impartial position, and has been promoting a political settlement to the crisis, he said.

The Chinese side has honored its commitments, refrained from supplying weapons to the two sides in the conflict, and exercised strict control over the export of dual-use items in accordance with law, he said.

On Middle East tensions

Dong also urged the U.S. to abandon double standards and play a positive role in bringing peace back to the Middle East region.

He noted that the worsening humanitarian catastrophe in the Palestinian-Israeli conflict has caused strong dissatisfaction among people all over the world.

China and a vast majority of countries have been actively promoting a ceasefire, Dong said, urging the U.S. to show its responsibility as a major country through practical actions.