U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin engaged in a video teleconference with his newly appointed Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on Tuesday. This marked their first significant contact since November 2022, and the first since Dong's appointment in December. During the call, they discussed a range of issues, including the importance of respecting freedom of navigation in the South China Sea under international law. Admiral Dong emphasized the role of the military in stabilizing and improving bilateral relations between the two nations, suggesting that both countries should explore pragmatic ways to coexist and ensure military relations serve as a cornerstone for broader diplomatic efforts.
The Chinese and U.S. militaries should “explore ways of coexisting,” China’s defense minister told his American counterpart during a video call this week, the first direct communication between the countries’ defense chiefs in 18 months. https://t.co/GtBNhdRbdd
During his first call with PRC Minister of Defense Admiral Dong Jun, Secretary Austin discussed a range of issues, including the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea. https://t.co/1yWuYiztIC
#China says its defense minister called for greater “trust” between Beijing and #Washington in their defense chiefs’ first substantive talks in nearly 18 months. https://t.co/xKefxOov8F
Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun held a video call with US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Tuesday. Dong said the heads of state of #China and the #US are committed to stabilizing and improving bilateral relations, stressing that both militaries should serve as a cornerstone… https://t.co/ojHmZZSR8M
China, US should find ways for pragmatic military relations, Chinese defence minister says https://t.co/mJ53Gissea https://t.co/lePZPsZW1V
⚠️ CHINA, US SHOULD FIND WAYS FOR PRAGMATIC MILITARY RELATIONS, CHINESE DEFENCE MINISTER SAYS Full Story → https://t.co/w7HTp3sdYP https://t.co/STnHYkkIDj
CHINA DEFENCE MINISTER SUGGESTS CHINA AND US SHOULD SEEK WAYS TO COEXIST DURING TALK WITH US COUNTERPART
The U.S. #DefenseSecretary spoke with his Chinese counterpart today for the first time since November 2022. https://t.co/q5V8WxaA2i
NEWS: @SecDef Austin Meets Virtually With Chinese Defense Minister for First Time https://t.co/wamLVdJFxj
.@SecDef Austin speaks with new Chinese counterpart for first time https://t.co/pVMbwrUSVS https://t.co/pVMbwrUSVS
This phone call shows 3 points: 1⃣It’s the first long-term conversation between 🇨🇳& 🇺🇸defense ministers after Pelosi’s reckless trip to Taiwan in 2022. It’s also part of the recent strengthening of exchanges between 🇨🇳&🇺🇸senior officials according to the guidance of head-of-state… https://t.co/IZhhcU423B
"SecDef Austin spoke Tues to Dong Jun, a retired admiral who became 🇨🇳 defence minister in December...It was the 1st significant minister-level engagement between the militaries since Nov '22" https://t.co/ziVjDUM9if
US & China defence heads hold first significant contact since 2022 https://t.co/SAgapCaIql via @ft
BREAKING: @SecDef spoke to his Chinese counterpart this morning, the first time the two defense chiefs have connected in almost two years. Austin spoke with Adm. Dong Jun, who was appointed to the role in December, by video teleconference Tuesday morning. Story TK