In a statement published on January 10th regarding the dialogue held in Washington DC, China's Ministry of Defense stated that the country "emphasized that it will never compromise or back down on the Taiwan issue," and called on the US to "stop supplying weapons" to the island.
The statement also mentioned the South China Sea issue.
The US-China military dialogue took place at the Pentagon on January 8-9.
The statement said that China had "clearly stated its serious position and key concerns on issues related to China's core interests and international hotspots." China also expressed its willingness to develop a healthy and stable military relationship with the U.S. "on the basis of equality and respect."
In November, U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping agreed to restart crucial dialogues between the two countries' militaries, which had been stalled for more than a year.
In December, General Charles "CQ" Brown, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff, spoke with General Liu Zhenli, Chief of Staff of the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission of China. The two sides discussed "the importance of working together to manage competition responsibly," according to Washington.
The Pentagon announced that US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense Michael Chase and Major General Song Yanchao, Deputy Director of the Office of International Military Cooperation of the Central Military Commission of China, co-chaired the dialogue at the Pentagon on January 8-9. This was the 17th time this event has been held.
"The two sides discussed U.S.-China defense relations, and Chase stressed the importance of maintaining lines of communication between the two countries' militaries to prevent competition from escalating into conflict," Reuters quoted the Pentagon as saying about the dialogue.
China calls for promoting 'peaceful reunification', Taiwan's leader sends message.
Mr. Chase stated that the U.S. will "continue to move and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law permits." The statement emphasized "the importance of respecting freedom of navigation at sea."
The U.S. Department of Defense said Chase also "reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait."
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