US and China continue dialogue at Singapore meeting

2024-06-02 19:55:00, Kosova & Bota CNA

US and Chinese defense officials offered different positions on Asia, although they agreed to keep communication channels open, during the Singapore security meeting. As Voice of America correspondent Bill Gallo reports, the meeting of defense ministers known as the Shangri-La Forum ended on Sunday in Singapore, where the parties agreed to continue communicating with each other, but there were no shortage of accusations, especially between Washington and Beijing.

The first face-to-face meeting of Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin with his Chinese counterpart, Defense Minister Dong Jun, was held in Singapore.

China had until recently refused to hold talks of this level.

"We have always been open to exchanges and cooperation, but this requires both sides to compromise," says Chinese defense chief Dong Jun.

Some differences were insurmountable at this meeting as Chinese officials went on the offensive.

"The facts show that Washington is the biggest corrupter of the international order, the biggest obstacle to progress in global governance and the biggest challenge to regional peace and stability," said Jing Jiangfeng, a general of the Chinese army.

Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin insisted that war is inevitable and dialogue is necessary.

"There is no way that every conversation that takes place is a happy conversation. It is important, however, that we continue to talk to each other," says Secretary Austin.

Some of the topics the two countries could discuss include China's military threats against Taiwan.

In the South China Sea, Chinese ships have harassed much smaller Philippine vessels, raising concerns that this could trigger the US-Philippines defense treaty that requires the two countries to back each other up if the other side attacks the Philippines or the United States United.

"If a Filipino citizen is killed by a deliberate act that comes very close to what we define as an act of war, we will respond accordingly," Philippine President Ferdinand Marcos Jr. said.

These sensitive issues make it even more important for Washington and Beijing to keep talking, many regional analysts say.

"The temperatures are decreasing, although we should not have the illusion that the problems will be solved because these are complex problems. The priority now is to reduce tensions, send the right confidence-building messages, as well as more dialogue," says National University of Singapore professor Lim Tai Wei.

At least for now, China is agreeing to continue those meetings./ VOA