Last week, the commander of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Southern Theater Command, Wu Ya'nan, attended an important defense chiefs conference held in Hawaii. This event, which took place from September 18 to 20, involved discussions with military representatives from several countries, including the US and the Philippines, and was viewed as a significant step towards reducing conflict risks in the South China Sea.

The conference was organized at the invitation of the United States, and Wu's delegation had the opportunity to engage in bilateral talks with representatives from nations such as Thailand, Singapore, the UK, and France. Specifically, Wu met with Samuel Paparo, the commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, where both leaders had an extensive dialogue about implementing previously agreed upon consensus between their respective heads of state and addressing mutual concerns. This face-to-face meeting represented a follow-up to their earlier video conference earlier in September.

According to military analysts, such exchanges between high-ranking officials can diminish miscommunications and prevent potential conflicts over maritime and aerial operations in the contested South China Sea region. Chinese military expert Zhang Junshe noted that these discussions are essential for fostering stable military relations between China and the US. Moreover, the interaction between Chinese and Philippine military officials demonstrates a willingness to keep communication lines open, which can also alleviate rising tensions.

Another military expert emphasized that a senior Chinese officer's participation in a US-organized conference reflects China’s commitment to resolving differences through dialogue. The invitation from the US underscores a mutual interest in avoiding unintended military confrontations. While challenges remain, the expert asserted that engaging in discussions is preferable to having no dialogue at all.