Will US-China Military Talks Resume? Both Sides Respond Positively

Austin US Secretary of Defense - Wei Fenghe Chinese Minister of National Defense
Possibility of Meeting at Cambodia ADMM-Plus Increases

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (center left) and Chinese Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe (center right) are holding talks in Singapore last June. [Image source=EPA Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Lee Chun-hee] The possibility of a meeting between the U.S. and Chinese defense ministers is increasing at the 9th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), held in Cambodia from the 22nd to the 24th.

Patrick Ryder, spokesperson for the U.S. Department of Defense, said on the 21st (local time) that U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin would welcome the opportunity to meet with Chinese Minister of National Defense Wei Fenghe at the ADMM-Plus.

Spokesperson Ryder stated, "Secretary Austin has frequently emphasized the importance of keeping communication channels open between the U.S. and China," adding, "he welcomes the opportunity to meet his (Chinese) counterpart in Cambodia." He did not confirm whether the U.S.-China defense ministers' meeting would actually take place but revealed that the U.S. is in contact with the Chinese Ministry of National Defense regarding this matter.

The ADMM-Plus is a regional representative multilateral security consultation body attended by defense ministers from the 10 ASEAN countries and eight major Asia-Pacific countries including South Korea and the U.S. It is being held face-to-face for the first time in three years since the COVID-19 pandemic under the theme of "Solidarity for Harmonious Security."

The day before, Tankerfei, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of National Defense, also said, "China is taking a proactive and open attitude toward exchanges with the U.S. at the ADMM-Plus," adding, "both sides are maintaining cooperation," which has strengthened predictions that dialogue between the two sides will resume.

Military exchanges and dialogue between the U.S. and China have been suspended since China announced eight retaliatory measures, including cutting off military dialogue and climate change cooperation, in response to U.S. House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August. The meeting between the two countries' defense ministers has also not taken place since the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (Shangri-La Dialogue) held in Singapore last June.

However, following the first face-to-face summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit held in Bali, Indonesia, on the 14th, there have been observed movements to ease tensions and resume dialogue. In fact, within just a week after the summit, the two countries have conducted a series of dialogues in areas such as climate, trade, and finance.