Military officials from the United States and China convened this week for pivotal working-level discussions in Honolulu. The primary focus of these talks was to reinforce the safety and professionalism of air and naval interactions between the two nations’ armed forces, a matter of increasing importance in the Indo-Pacific region.
U.S. and Chinese military representatives in working group meeting, showcasing diverse uniforms.
These two-day dialogues marked the reactivation of the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement Working Group (MMCA), a series of annual operational safety discussions. Established over two decades ago, the MMCA serves as a vital platform for direct communication. The last MMCA meeting occurred in December 2021, making this resumption particularly significant in the current geopolitical climate.
Representatives from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, and U.S. Pacific Air Forces engaged with their counterparts from China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA). These interactions are crucial for establishing mutual understanding and protocols, especially given the visual aspect of military presence, where elements like the Chinese Military Uniform distinguish personnel and signify national forces.
Colonel Ian Francis, the U.S. Indo-Pacom’s director of Northeast Asia policy and head of the U.S. delegation, expressed optimism about the PLA’s commitment to attending these crucial talks. He emphasized the importance of ongoing dialogues to ensure the safety of forces operating in the region. Effective communication is paramount to avoid misunderstandings, especially in areas where naval vessels and aircraft from both nations might operate in proximity.
“The Military Maritime Consultative Agreement is U.S. Indo-Pacom’s primary means to directly discuss air and maritime operational safety with the PLA,” Francis stated. “The United States remains committed to operating safely and professionally in the Indo-Pacific wherever international law permits, a responsibility we undertake with utmost seriousness.” This commitment underscores the necessity for clear and open communication channels.
“Open, direct, and unambiguous communication with the PLA, and indeed with all military forces active in the region, is absolutely vital to prevent accidents and misinterpretations,” he added. Such communication is not just about spoken words but also about visual cues and understanding the operational doctrines that might be reflected, in part, by aspects such as the chinese military uniform and its distinctiveness.
During this year’s MMCA session, officials from both countries undertook a detailed review of specific safety-related incidents that have transpired in the region in recent years. They also engaged in discussions focused on maintaining and enhancing maritime and aviation operational safety and professionalism. Understanding the context of these incidents, including the potential for misidentification or miscommunication amongst personnel identifiable by their uniforms, is key to preventing future occurrences.
U.S. Navy personnel maintain watch, emphasizing vigilance in maritime operations alongside diverse military forces. President Biden’s engagement with President Xi Jinping at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation forum in Woodside, California, in November, was instrumental in securing China’s agreement to resume military-to-military talks. This high-level diplomatic effort paved the way for renewed dialogue at the working level.
Following the leaders’ meeting, General CQ Brown, Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, held discussions with his PLA counterpart, General Liu Zhenli, in December. Further solidifying this positive trajectory, senior U.S. and Chinese military officials reconvened the U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks at the Pentagon in January. These high-level talks had been paused since September 2021, making their resumption a significant step forward.
According to the 2023 China Military Power Report, the U.S. has documented over 180 instances of coercive and risky air intercepts against U.S. aircraft in the region between 2021 and 2023. This concerning statistic highlights the urgency and importance of the MMCA talks.
The report further indicates that the past two years have witnessed a higher number of risky intercepts than the entire preceding decade, underscoring a worrying trend that necessitates proactive measures and improved communication protocols.
In the lead-up to this week’s military-to-military engagements, U.S. defense officials noted a positive development: a discernible decrease in unsafe behavior from China directed towards U.S. maritime and air operators in the region.
“We’ve observed a reduction in unsafe behavior between us and PLA aircraft and vessels over the recent months,” a senior military official confirmed. “This is an encouraging sign, and we welcome the opportunity presented by the MMCA to discuss strategies to ensure this positive trend continues its course.” Sustaining this positive trend requires ongoing dialogue and a commitment from both sides to adhere to safe operational practices.
Military delegates from the U.S. and China at a formal meeting, flags symbolizing international military cooperation. Despite the observed improvement in interactions involving U.S. forces, U.S. officials remain concerned about China’s persistent unsafe actions targeting non-U.S. maritime operations within the region.
“In recent months, we have continued to witness the PRC engaging in highly dangerous and unlawful behavior directed at routine maritime operations conducted by the Philippines in the South China Sea,” a senior defense official stated. “We will maintain our diplomatic pressure on China regarding these critical issues.” This highlights that while progress is being made in some areas, significant challenges remain.
President Biden and President Xi Jinping recently held another phone discussion, characterized by a “candid and constructive exchange on a wide spectrum of bilateral, regional, and global matters, encompassing both areas of cooperation and points of divergence,” as detailed in a White House summary of the call.
During this crucial dialogue, President Biden emphasized the critical importance of preserving peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. He also voiced concerns regarding China’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base, signaling the breadth and depth of the issues under discussion between the two global powers.
Both leaders “welcomed ongoing efforts aimed at maintaining open channels of communication and responsibly managing the relationship” through established diplomatic channels and working-level dialogues, according to the summary of their conversation. This mutual acknowledgment of the importance of communication, including military-to-military discussions like the MMCA, is a crucial element in navigating the complex relationship between the U.S. and China and ensuring stability in the Indo-Pacific region and beyond.
Spotlight: Focus on Indo-Pacific Spotlight: Focus on Indo-Pacific: https://www.defense.gov/Spotlights/Focus-on-Indo-Pacific/
