Amid ongoing regional tensions, U.S. and Chinese military officials gathered in Shanghai this week for working-level discussions aimed at reducing risky encounters between their forces at sea and in the air.
The meetings, part of the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA), focused on addressing concerns over unsafe and unprofessional maneuvers by China’s People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and Air Force. According to a U.S. military statement released Thursday, the talks were geared toward preventing incidents that could escalate into broader conflicts.
These semi-annual meetings come as the U.S. continues to call out China for provocative military behavior, especially near Taiwan and in contested maritime zones.
Just before the talks, China wrapped up two days of war games around Taiwan, including long-range, live-fire exercises in the East China Sea—raising the stakes further in the region.