China-U.S. Defense Chiefs Hold Rare Talks at Shangri-La Dialogue

Readouts from the Chinese Defense Ministry & Profile of Defense Minister Dong Jun

Hi everyone,

Let's get back to the security issue today. Today, The defense ministers of China and the United States have held their first substantial face-to-face dialogue in 18 months at this year’s Shangri-La Dialogue. (Last year, former Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu shook hands with Austin, yet no actual communication)

Topics of this time discussion include China-US military relations, the Taiwan issue, the South China Sea issue, the Russia-Ukraine war, and the Israel-Hamas conflict. China's Defense Ministry spokesperson, Wu Qian, describes the meeting as “positive, pragmatic, and constructive.“ He also said the meeting helped both sides to enhance understanding and avoid misjudgment, and the results were positive. Going forward, both sides will continue to maintain communication and exchanges through military diplomatic channels. According to SCMP’s report, the meeting the meeting lasted 75 minutes, longer than expected. This, I believe, sends positive signals.

As China-US diplomatic relations have become more tense in recent years, the once-good military communications have also deteriorated. The more tense the relationship, the more critical the military dialogue between China and the United States. I’ve written a piece on this for Pearls And Irritations: https://johnmenadue.com/china-and-us-should-seize-the-opportunity-of-shangri-la-dialogue-for-military-talks-amid-tensions/

Despite the positive signals from this meeting, it is still too early to say that the downward trend in this relationship has ceased.

I’ve attached translated readouts from the Chinese Defence Ministry for this meeting.

Souce: http://www.mod.gov.cn/gfbw/jswj/16312983.html

On May 31, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, who was attending the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, held talks with U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin.

Dong Jun stated that the healthy development of China-U.S. military relations is in the common interests of both parties and is also the general expectation of the international community. The current stabilization of military relations between the two sides has not come easily. Both militaries should adhere to the bottom line of no conflict and no confrontation, and truly serve as the stabilizing cornerstone of bilateral relations. The purpose of military communication is to enhance understanding, eliminate misunderstandings, and build mutual trust. He hopes that the U.S. will match its words with actions and work with China to effectively implement the consensus reached by the heads of state, uphold peace, prioritize stability, and base actions on trust. He emphasized the need to strengthen exchanges, assume responsibilities, promote interactions, and explore a correct mode of military relations that aligns with the common interests of both sides and meets the expectations of the world.

Dong Jun stressed that the Taiwan issue is purely China's internal affair and that external forces have no right to interfere. China firmly opposes the U.S. seriously violating its commitments and sending the wrong signals to "Taiwan independence" forces. He urged the U.S. to correct its mistakes and not support "Taiwan independence" in any form. Regarding issues such as Ren'ai Reef, China's stance and bottom line are clear. China insists on resolving differences through equal consultation but will not ignore actions that escalate provocations.

The two sides also exchanged views on other issues.

Profile of Defense Minister Dong Jun

According to Caixin’s report. Dong Jun has been the 14th Defence Minister since 1949 and is the first naval officer to serve as Defence Minister.

Dong was born in Yantai, Shandong, and has held various positions in the Navy, including Director of the Military Training Department of the Navy Command, Deputy Chief of Staff of the North Sea Fleet, and Deputy Commander of the East Sea Fleet. In December 2014, he was appointed Deputy Chief of Staff of the Navy, and in 2017, he became the Deputy Commander of the Southern Theater Command before being transferred to the Navy Headquarters.

In September 2021, Dong Jun was promoted to Admiral upon his appointment as the new Navy Commander. He is the ninth Navy Commander since 1949 and the third since the military reforms at the end of 2015, following Wu Shengli and Shen Jinlong. In October 2022, Dong Jun was elected as a member of the 20th Central Committee. Dong has participated in numerous international military exercises in his career, gaining extensive diplomatic experience. (Chinese Executive Director in the China-Russia "Joint Sea 2015 (II)" and "Joint Sea 2016" military exercises and Chinese Chief Director for the "Sea Guardian 2020" China-Pakistan joint naval exercise）

Chinese Ministry of Defence operates under the leadership of the State Council and the Central Military Commission. It does not possess actual military command authority.

At today’s meeting, Journalist Hou Yichao from Phoenix conducted an interview with the former Deputy President of the Academy of Military Sciences, Lieutenant General He Lei. I think it is also worth reading:

Source:https://news.ifeng.com/c/8a2JZ5bBkSr

Question: Dean He, today at noon, the defense ministers of China and the United States held a meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue. Could you provide us with some information about this meeting and how it might differ from online meetings?

He Lei: As everyone knows, the relationship between the military forces of China and the U.S. is crucial. The meeting and speeches of the defense ministers of both countries at the 21st Shangri-La Dialogue are key focal points of the conference. This noon’s meeting between the defense ministers is the first face-to-face talk since November 2022. This meeting is very important. Firstly, it is a positive action in the military field to implement the important consensus reached by President Xi Jinping and President Biden at the San Francisco meeting. It is a significant step in turning the vision of San Francisco into reality. We are very much looking forward to the meeting and talks between the two defense ministers. Secondly, this meeting signifies that the military relationship between the two countries is gradually moving towards recovery. In fact, since the San Francisco meeting six months ago, the militaries of China and the U.S. have undertaken several important activities. Notably, in April this year, Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun had a video call with the U.S. Defense Secretary upon invitation, which, to some extent, laid the groundwork for this face-to-face meeting at the Shangri-La Dialogue. In this meeting, I believe our new defense minister will use this opportunity to reiterate China’s firm stance, views, and policies on core interests and major issues. This is an excellent opportunity that cannot be avoided. Thirdly, this meeting is meaningful for enhancing mutual understanding between the leaders of the two militaries and improving the risk management capabilities of both armed forces.

However, I must remind that the U.S. side needs to have sincerity and integrity. It must implement President Biden’s repeated commitments of “four no’s and one unintentional” (Editor’s note: “four no’s and one unintentional” refers to the U.S. not seeking to change China’s system, not seeking a new Cold War, not seeking to strengthen alliances against China, not supporting “Taiwan independence,” and not intending to have a conflict with China, as stated during the 2022 Bali meeting between the Chinese and U.S. leaders). The U.S. cannot say one thing and do another, putting on a show during meetings. The practical significance would be minimal. The “four no’s and one unintentional” include not supporting “Taiwan independence,” and due to Lai Ching-te’s “5.20” speech, our military conducted large-scale exercises around the island.

Question: Can it be considered that the Taiwan Strait issue is one of the most important topics of this meeting?

He Lei: This is a hot topic that everyone is concerned about at the Shangri-La Dialogue. In fact, since the 16th Shangri-La Dialogue in 2017, when then U.S. Defense Secretary Mattis first mentioned the Taiwan issue in his speech, the Taiwan issue has been a hot topic at every Shangri-La Dialogue.

This year is even more special. What makes it special? Firstly, it is the change of leadership in Taiwan, and Lai Ching-te’s “5.20” speech was a blatant and thorough declaration of “Taiwan independence,” marking a significant step from being a “pragmatic worker for Taiwan independence” to substantial “Taiwan independence.” At the same time, this year, the central government of mainland China has also made significant progress toward completely resolving the Taiwan issue and achieving full national reunification. Typically, the joint military exercises of the Chinese military are conducted according to plans and pre-arranged scenarios. However, this exercise has five specific characteristics: it was conducted at a specific time, in a specific region, targeting a specific event, focused on a specific goal, and aimed at achieving a specific purpose. This large-scale joint exercise of various military branches has several significances. Firstly, it is a strong response to Lai Ching-te and the “Taiwan independence” elements, especially to the “5.20” speech, demonstrating the Chinese government and the People’s Liberation Army’s firm determination to crush “Taiwan independence” forces and external interference. Secondly, it is a demonstration of the firm determination, strong will, and powerful capabilities of the Chinese people and the People’s Liberation Army to maintain national unity and safeguard national sovereignty and security. Thirdly, in some sense, it is an opportunity for the People’s Liberation Army to familiarize itself with the battlefield environment, strengthen coordination, improve organizational and command capabilities, and conduct a near-real combat drill. It can also be seen as a rehearsal of one of our combat plans. In fact, we have multiple combat plans, and this is a rehearsal of one of them.

If this “Joint Sword 2024A” exercise has caused so-called “local tensions” and panic among some people on theisland, the responsibility lies entirely with Lai Ching-te, the "Taiwan independence" elements, and the external forces that seek to disrupt the Taiwan Strait. Our military is using this opportunity to warn Lai Ching-te and his ilk that if they continue to adhere to their stubborn "Taiwan independence" stance and move further down the path of "Taiwan independence," the frequency, intensity, scale, and magnitude of the joint military exercises by the People's Liberation Army targeting "Taiwan independence" forces will only increase. This will bring us closer to achieving the goal of complete national reunification and thoroughly resolving the Taiwan issue. I believe this will happen soon, and everyone can look forward to it.

Question: In resolving the Taiwan issue, the U.S. is a significant variable. In this afternoon's talks, will the Chinese side demand a clear guarantee from the U.S. to not interfere in Taiwan Strait affairs?

He Lei: In all previous talks, whether between national leaders, diplomatic leaders, or military and defense leaders, this has always been a stance that China must clearly express. The Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests, the first red line and bottom line that cannot be infringed upon. This is unquestionable and is one of the important topics in today's conversation between Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun and Secretary Austin. Regardless of whether the U.S. makes this commitment, we must express our firm determination.

Question: Another very important hot topic is the South China Sea issue. Tonight, Philippine President Marcos Jr. will also give a keynote speech. This year, Marcos Jr. has made many provocative moves against China. Will we ask the U.S. to restrain itself in this regard, or how will we further discuss the South China Sea issue with the U.S.?

He Lei: The South China Sea issue has been relatively stable in recent years. During the six years of former Philippine President Duterte, China and the Philippines maintained overall stability in the disputed islands and waters of the South China Sea, without major conflicts. So why has the Philippines frequently provoked disputes at Ren'ai Reef and Scarborough Shoal, challenging China's territorial sovereignty, within the two years since President Marcos Jr. took office? Moreover, why are China and other neighboring countries in the South China Sea maintaining a peaceful and stable situation? The responsibility is clear.

The responsibility lies with the Philippines, and behind them is the United States. The U.S. implements its Asia-Pacific strategy and Indo-Pacific strategy, aiming to form small circles and camp confrontations in the Indo-Pacific region, essentially creating a "mini-NATO" in the Indo-Pacific targeted at China. Frankly, the Philippines has acted as a pawn in the U.S.'s Indo-Pacific strategy, which I believe is not going to end well.

China has always advocated that all countries, regardless of size, strength, or wealth, are equal. China has never bullied smaller nations and never will, but China has principles and bottom lines. We absolutely do not allow certain countries to act recklessly by taking advantage of their small size. Here, I would like to say two things to the Philippines: First, do not ignore or distort the goodwill, patience, and restraint of the Chinese government. Second, do not underestimate the firm determination, strong will, powerful capabilities, and effective means of the Chinese people and the People's Liberation Army to resolutely defend national sovereignty and maritime rights. Otherwise, all consequences arising from this will be entirely the responsibility of the Philippines.

Question: Another point of concern is that U.S. Defense Secretary Austin is attending this meeting despite being unwell and having undergone several surgeries. Will we provide him with any special care and greetings?

He Lei: I am also aware that Secretary Austin has been ill and has undergone several surgeries. This time, he is attending the Shangri-La Dialogue shortly after his surgical treatment. I admire Secretary Austin's dedication in attending the meeting despite his illness, and I hope he can recover soon and continue to contribute to the friendly relations between China and the U.S. and their militaries, as well as to the maintenance of regional and world peace.