U.S. and Chinese military commanders speak by phone for the first time in years
The United States’ top commander in the Indo-Pacific region spoke with his Chinese counterpart Monday night, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the planning.
WASHINGTON — The United States’ top commander in the Indo-Pacific region spoke with his Chinese counterpart Monday night, according to three U.S. officials familiar with the planning, as the two superpowers try to rebuild military ties in an effort to avoid conflict.
Adm. Samuel Paparo, commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, spoke with Gen. Wu Yanan, the commander of China’s Southern Theater, which is responsible for Beijing’s vast claims over the South China Sea. The call was the first time in years that the two regional military commanders have engaged in a formal conversation.
The Chinese Ministry of Defense also confirmed the call, saying the two sides “exchanged in-depth views on issues of common interest.”
During the video teleconference, Paparo emphasized the importance of sustained communication between the two militaries to “reduce the risk of misperception or miscalculation,” according to a White House readout of the call.
Citing multiple recent “unsafe interactions” between China’s People’s Liberation Army and U.S. allies, Paparo said the Chinese military had an obligation “to comply with international laws and norms to ensure operational safety,” the readout said.
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