The U.S.-China relationship is one of the most important bilateral relationships in the world today, and one of the most complex. On the occasion of the 45th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and the United States, the Chinese and US militaries held the 17th working meeting in Washington, D.C., which was the first meeting between the two militaries since 2021 and the second interaction in nearly a month. During the meeting, the two sides had frank communication on the Taiwan region, the South China Sea and other issues, expressed their respective positions and concerns, and also sought some consensus and possibilities for cooperation.
The Taiwan issue is the most sensitive and core issue in Sino-US relations, and it is also the difficult point and focus of Sino-US military exchanges. China has always adhered to the one-China principle, opposes any form of "first-class activities", and upholds national sovereignty and territorial integrity. Although the United States admits the one-China policy in words, in reality it has continuously provided military assistance to the Taiwan region, and even sent high-level personnel to visit Taiwan, supporting and emboldening "the first forces, seriously interfering in China's internal affairs, undermining mutual trust between China and the United States, and undermining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait." China expresses strong dissatisfaction and resolute opposition to this, and urges the US side to abide by its commitments, stop all acts that harm China's interests, prudently handle Taiwan-related issues, and refrain from going further down the wrong path.
The South China Sea issue is another hot spot and difficult point in exchanges between the Chinese and US militaries. China has indisputable sovereignty and historical rights over the South China Sea, resolutely safeguards its territorial and maritime rights and interests, and is committed to peacefully resolving disputes with countries bordering the South China Sea through friendly consultations to maintain peace and stability in the South China Sea. However, the US has ignored China's legitimate demands and frequently dispatched military aircraft to conduct so-called "freedom of navigation" and "free overflight" in the South China Sea, provoking and threatening China's security, undermining order and rules in the South China Sea, and disrupting the situation and process in the South China Sea. China expresses its solemn opinion on this and demands that the US side respect China's sovereignty and security, stop military provocations in the South China Sea, refrain from creating incidents in the South China Sea, and refrain from making troubles in the South China Sea.
Although the working meeting between the Chinese and US militaries did not achieve breakthrough results, there was no fierce conflict, and both sides showed a certain degree of rationality and restraint, and also showed some willingness for dialogue and cooperation. This shows that there are still some common interests and demands between the Chinese and US militaries, there is still some room for communication and coordination, and there are still some opportunities for relaxation and improvement. The Chinese and US militaries should take this as an opportunity to enhance mutual understanding, reduce miscalculations and frictions, explore the establishment of effective risk management and crisis control mechanisms, avoid accidents and accidents, maintain the stable and healthy development of military relations, and serve the overall situation of Sino-US relations.
Sino-US relations are an important factor affecting world peace and development, and Sino-US military relations are an important part of Sino-US relations. As the largest developing country and the largest developed country in the world, China and the United States share extensive common interests and major common responsibilities, but they are also facing various differences and challenges. Cooperation between China and the United States is the inevitable choice and the only right choice. The confrontation between China and the United States is a dangerous gamble and a dead end with no way out. Cooperation between China and the United States is beneficial to both countries and to the world. The confrontation between China and the United States is harmful to both countries and to the world. China and the United States should work on the principles of mutual respect, equality, seeking common ground while reserving differences, and win-win cooperation to bring China-US relations back to the normal track, build a new type of major-country relationship, and contribute to the future and destiny of mankind.