US and Chinese diplomats discuss maritime issues in Beijing.
Senior US and Chinese Officials Hold Talks on Maritime Issues
Senior officials from the United States and China engaged in “substantive” and “candid” discussions on maritime matters, including the disputed South China Sea, during a meeting in Beijing on Friday. The talks involved Mark Lambert, the China Coordinator and deputy assistant secretary for China and Taiwan at the State Department, and Hong Liang, China’s director-general for boundary and ocean affairs.
The meeting, part of the Biden administration’s efforts to maintain open communication with Beijing and responsibly manage the US-China relationship, emphasized the need to resume military-military channels to prevent miscommunication and miscalculation. The United States expressed concerns over China’s dangerous actions in the South China Sea, such as obstructing a Philippine resupply mission and engaging in an unsafe intercept of a US aircraft.
Tense US-China Relations
The visit by Mr. Lambert precedes a planned meeting between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum later this month. Relations between the two countries have reached historic lows due to disputes over various issues, including Taiwan, trade, security, and technology.
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The Biden administration has been actively engaging with Beijing to stabilize relations, with top US officials, including Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen, Secretary of State Antony Blinken, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo, visiting China for talks. Mr. Blinken has also raised concerns about China’s actions in the South China Sea and urged the resumption of military-to-military channels between the two countries.
‘Coercive, Risky Operational Behavior’
Ely Ratner, assistant secretary of defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, highlighted over 180 instances of Chinese aircraft engaging in coercive and risky operational behavior since the fall of 2021. These incidents involved reckless maneuvers, chaff discharges, flares, and close approaches to US aircraft, aiming to interfere with US forces’ operations in accordance with international law.
Canada has also experienced intimidation in the South China Sea. The Canadian Armed Forces reported that a Chinese J-11 fighter jet intercepted their CH-148 Cyclone helicopter during routine exercises, conducting a pass with little separation and launching flares directly in front of the helicopter.
South China Sea Claims
The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has claimed territorial rights over almost the entire South China Sea, including areas that overlap with the Exclusive Economic Zones (EEZs) of neighboring countries. The United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) designates EEZs within 200 nautical miles of coastal nations’ borders. The Philippines’ position on the issue was recognized by the Permanent Court of Arbitration in 2016, but China’s behavior has not changed, with repeated intrusions into Philippine maritime zones.
How has the United States responded to China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea?
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The South China Sea has been a major point of contention between the United States and China. China claims almost the entire region as its territory, including areas contested by several Southeast Asian nations such as Taiwan, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. The United States has been vocal in rejecting China’s excessive territorial claims and has conducted freedom of navigation operations in the area to challenge Beijing’s position. The discussions between the senior officials highlighted the importance of maintaining peace, stability, and freedom of navigation in the South China Sea. The United States reiterated its commitment to its allies and partners in the region, emphasizing the need for a rules-based international order that respects sovereignty, promotes the peaceful resolution of disputes, and ensures adherence to international law. Both parties acknowledged that tensions and differences between the United States and China exist, but they also recognized the importance of open dialogue and engagement to address these issues. The meeting in Beijing served as a foundation for further discussions and negotiations. It was a step towards finding common ground and developing mechanisms to manage and mitigate maritime disputes and prevent unintentional escalation. The senior officials agreed to maintain regular communication and explore ways to reestablish military-military channels to enhance transparency and reduce the risk of misunderstandings. They also acknowledged the benefits of constructive cooperation in areas of mutual interest, such as climate change, public health, counterterrorism, and nonproliferation. The talks between senior US and Chinese officials on maritime issues, including the South China Sea, represent a significant effort to improve bilateral communication and address growing tensions between the two countries. While challenges remain, the discussions emphasized the importance of responsible management of the US-China relationship and the necessity of open dialogue in preventing misunderstandings and potential conflicts. The dialogue held in Beijing lays the groundwork for future negotiations and cooperation, offering hope for the resolution of disputes and the promotion of peace and stability in the South China Sea and beyond.Maritime Security Concerns
The Way Forward
Conclusion
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