Adm. Samuel Paparo of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command is expected to have a conversation with Gen. Wu Yanan of China’s Southern Theater, responsible for the South China Sea, in an attempt to rebuild military ties and avoid conflict. This conversation will be the first formal engagement between the two regional military commanders in years, after previous attempts were unsuccessful due to tensions between the U.S. and China over various issues including Taiwan, conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East, and China’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.
President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping agreed to resume military communications at a summit in November, with plans for a call between their military theater commanders announced after a visit to Beijing by Jake Sullivan. The White House is also aiming for a meeting between Biden and Xi in November, their first interaction since April.
The U.S. and China have had strained relations in recent years, reaching a low point in 2023 when an alleged Chinese spy balloon appeared over the U.S. and was shot down. Re-establishing communication channels and dialogue between the two countries is a priority, with efforts to improve relations and prevent further escalation of tensions in the region.
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