China and the United States are walking a tightrope on maritime claims and sovereignty claims and freedom of navigation in the contested South China Sea.
Last month’s high-profile meet in Beijing between the U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping was followed by the first military communication between the militaries of both nations in Hawaii. Both sides have decided to keep military-to-military communication channels open.
The Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy confirmed the meeting saying they had candid and constructive exchanges on the current maritime and air security situation between China and the U.S. on the basis of equality and respect.
The Chinese side firmly opposes any act that endangers China’s sovereignty and security in the name of freedom of navigation and overflight, and opposes any infringement and provocation, as well as close-in reconnaissance harassment, directed against China, it highlighted on its official WeChat account.
Both militaries’ representatives agreed that effective communication and exchanges would help front-line forces carry out their missions more professionally, enhance mutual understanding, and avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments.
