'Prevent Military Provocations'... First US-China Military Crisis Communication Meeting Ahead of Presidential Election

Preventing Accidental Conflict in the Taiwan Strait
China: "Secretary Esper Says No Intent to Raise Military Tensions with China"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Jo Young-shin] Ahead of the US presidential election, a crisis communication meeting was held between senior military officials of the United States and China.

Attention is focused on the content exchanged between the military leaders of the two countries, as this is the first crisis communication meeting held at a time when tensions in the Taiwan Strait, stemming from the Taiwan independence issue, have reached their peak.

The US Department of Defense announced on the 29th (local time) that the first crisis communication working group meeting between the US and Chinese military leaders was held via video conference on the 28th and 29th. The meeting was attended by representatives from the US Secretary of Defense’s office, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, and the Indo-Pacific Command, while the Chinese side included representatives from the International Military Cooperation Department of the Central Military Commission, the Joint Staff Department, and the Southern Theater Command.

Wu Qian, spokesperson for the Chinese Ministry of Defense, also confirmed on the 30th that "a video conference was held on the 28th and 29th between the military leaders of China and the US for crisis management and communication."

This meeting took place during the South Asia tour of US Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and Secretary of State Mike Pompeo, visiting four countries: India, Sri Lanka, Maldives, and Indonesia. Although there are deep emotional rifts between the two sides, it is reported that a consensus was formed on the need to avoid escalation due to accidental clashes.

China has been wary of Mike Pompeo’s recent tour of the four South Asian countries. It is known that the US recently held an annual 'Diplomatic and Defense Ministers Meeting (2+2 Meeting)' with India, discussing ways to strengthen cooperation such as satellite intelligence sharing and arms purchases.

During the visit to Sri Lanka, which is pro-China, the US reportedly raised human rights issues, conveying concerns about Sri Lanka’s pro-China stance.

In particular, regarding US arms sales to Taiwan, China showed a hardline stance by issuing a blunt warning that "seeking independence is a path to death." The US approved arms exports worth $1.8 billion (2 trillion KRW) to Taiwan and subsequently approved additional arms exports worth $2.37 billion (2.67 trillion KRW).

Major foreign media outlets have noted that the US does not intend to escalate military conflicts with China. According to foreign media, spokesperson Wu Qian said, "Secretary Esper stated that he has no intention of raising military tensions with China."

A source in Beijing said, "I understand that the military communication channels between the US and China are always open," adding, "Although diplomatic rhetoric between the two countries has become harsh due to the Taiwan issue, it is true that both sides would suffer great damage in the event of a military clash, so it seems that the video conference was held as a preemptive crisis management measure."

The US Department of Defense also evaluated in a statement on the same day that the video conference between US and Chinese military officials was held for crisis management purposes, and that it provided an opportunity to build mutual understanding regarding crisis management and prevention between the US military and the Chinese People's Liberation Army, as well as maintaining regular communication channels.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.