BEIJING, April 17 – Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on Tuesday said the militaries of China and the U.S. should explore ways to get along with each other and build “non-conflict and non-confrontation, open and pragmatic” cooperation.
Dong made the remarks while holding a virtual meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the latter’s request, urging the two militaries to build up mutual trust on the basis of equality and respect, and to truly serve as a stable cornerstone for the development of relations between the two sides.
Dong told is counterpart that the Taiwan question is at the core of China’s interests, which will never be compromised, pointing out that the Chinese People’s Liberation Army will never give in to “Taiwan independence” separatist activities and external connivance.
Noting that the current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable, Dong urged the U.S. side to recognize China’s firm position on the South China Sea, respect China’s territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the region.
“China and the United States should … take peace as the most precious, stability as the most important,” Dong told Austin, according to a Beijing readout.
Meanwhile, the Pentagon in a statement said that Secretary Austin emphasised the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication between the United States and China.
Austin also “reiterated that the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate – safely and responsibly – wherever international law allows,” and “underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea.”
