A Defense Department delegation is set to reaffirm the United States’ commitment to peace and security in the Indo-Pacific region during an international security forum in Beijing this week. Michael S. Chase, Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, will lead the U.S. delegation attending the Xiangshan Forum and engage in high-level talks with Chinese military officials.
The visit follows the reopening of U.S.-China military-to-military dialogue last year, which had been paused since 2021. Chase will participate in the 18th iteration of the Defense Policy Coordination Talks between the U.S. and China, focusing on building mutual understanding and addressing security concerns.
During the forum, U.S. officials will also engage with regional allies and partners to highlight America’s shared vision for the Indo-Pacific, which centers on respect for sovereignty, adherence to international law, transparency, and the peaceful resolution of disputes.
A senior defense official expressed concern over China’s increasing coercive behavior in the region, underscoring the U.S. commitment to working with allies to bolster peace, stability, and deterrence.
The talks between U.S. and Chinese military officials, which President Joe Biden reinitiated last November, provide a platform for candid discussions about bilateral tensions and regional security. The U.S. aims to manage this competitive relationship responsibly to prevent it from escalating into conflict.–News Desk