China Urges Stable Military Ties with the United States

China's Defense Ministry has called on the United States to work towards stabilizing and improving military relations between the two countries. The ministry's spokesperson, Zhang Xiaogang, emphasized the importance of "candid, effective, and constructive" dialogues and cooperation in achieving this goal.

Zhang's statement came during a news conference in Beijing, where he addressed recent military engagements between China and the US. These engagements included a video phone call between the commanders of the People's Liberation Army Southern Theater Command and the US Indo-Pacific Command in early September, the attendance of the US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China at the 11th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in mid-September, and the 18th Defense Policy Coordination Talks held between the two countries this month.

Zhang highlighted the positive momentum in the overall and defense relations between China and the US, particularly following the meeting between the heads of state of the two countries in San Francisco last November and their phone conversation in April. He emphasized the importance of high-level strategic communication, policy communication, institutionalized dialogues, and exchanges in specialized fields between the two militaries.

However, Zhang also stressed the need for the US to recalibrate its strategic perception of China and adopt a more sensible and practical China policy. He urged the US to respect China's major concerns and work towards stabilizing and improving bilateral military ties through "candid, effective, and constructive" dialogues and cooperation based on the principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation.