China and the United States appear to be restarting talks between their militaries, despite ongoing disputes over Beijing’s claims to Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Chinese reports, which have not yet been confirmed by Washington, said the United States will send defense officials to attend an international meeting of China’s Ministry of National Defense aimed at discussing international security cooperation and improving China’s status as a global power.
“China attaches great importance to the development of military-to-military relations between China and the United States,” Defense Ministry spokesman Colonel Wu Xian said at a press conference on Thursday.
Last August, then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visits Self-governing Taiwan is claimed by China as its own territory.
China’s annual Xiangshan Forum is scheduled to be held from October 29th to 31st.
“In our opinion, the level of the people participating in the exchange is not the most important. What is more important is the content of the exchange.” Wu said.
The comments came as China’s top diplomat Wang Yi traveled to Washington to meet with Secretary of State Antony Blinken and national security adviser Jake Sullivan. This follows a series of high-level visits to China by the United States in recent months. In the latest sign of a thaw in relations, Shine with Chinese President Xi JinpingLeaders of the ruling Communist Party in Beijing in June.
China blames sanctions imposed by Washington for its refusal to restart military communications, including its refusal to allow former Defense Minister Ri Sang-bok to visit the United States
However, on Tuesday China announced remove li served as defense minister without giving any explanation or naming a successor.
In response to a reporter’s question about Li’s dismissal, Wu said: “It is recommended that everyone pay attention to the release of authoritative news.”
Former Foreign Minister Qin Gang also deleted He stepped down this year without any explanation from the government.
China’s highly opaque political system has led to considerable speculation about the reasons for officials’ dismissals, focusing on possible corruption, political disagreements or violations of unwritten codes of personal conduct.
China also released a video on Thursday that it said showed the Chinese navy’s close contact with the USS Ralph Johnson aircraft carrier, and claimed that a U.S. destroyer harassed the Chinese navy’s latest generation Type 052 destroyer Guilin, which was conducting routine training in the South China Sea on August 17. Number. 19. 19.
China claims the USS Ralph Johnson made a sharp turn and accelerated near the disputed Paracel Islands, passing through the bow of a Chinese ship.
“The purpose of the United States is to carry out unrestricted provocation and harassment against China and threaten China’s national security,” Wu Bangguo said. “The Chinese military has always been on high alert and will take all necessary measures to firmly safeguard sovereignty, security and maritime rights and interests.” The country’s”.
China claims almost the entire strategically important South China Sea as its own territory. Neighboring countries including U.S. allies the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brunei and Taiwan also claim territory in the area.
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