This week, military representatives from the United States and China convened in Hawaii for a crucial meeting focused on ensuring the safety of forces in the Pacific region. The in-person gathering marked a significant milestone after previous cancellations by China.
The Military Maritime Consultative Agreement Working Group meeting took place in Honolulu over two days, with 18 officials from China's People's Liberation Army and 18 representatives from various US military commands in the Pacific in attendance. Notable participants included officials from US Indo-Pacific Command, US Pacific Fleet, and US Pacific Air Forces.
A senior US military official emphasized the importance of these talks, stating that they are essential for guaranteeing the safe operation of military forces from both countries. This meeting was particularly significant as it represented the first operational safety discussion in years due to past cancellations by China.
This gathering followed President Joe Biden's recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in November 2023, during which both leaders committed to maintaining military-to-military communication. It also marked the first face-to-face meeting in years, as the previous MMCA event in December 2021 was conducted virtually.
The MMCA meetings between the US and China have been a longstanding tradition since 1998, serving as a vital platform for direct discussions on air and maritime operational safety between the two militaries.
In addition to the Hawaii meeting, President Biden and President Xi engaged in a phone conversation earlier in the week, covering topics such as countering narcotics, artificial intelligence, and climate change. This discussion served as a follow-up to their November talks and included a review of the military-to-military relationship between the two nations.
While there have been positive developments, including a reduction in unsafe behavior between US and Chinese aircraft over the Pacific, concerns remain. US officials highlighted instances of dangerous and unlawful actions by China against routine maritime operations conducted by the Philippines in the South China Sea.
Despite recent improvements, US officials noted that Chinese pilots had exhibited more coercive and risky behavior towards US aircraft in the past two years compared to the previous decade. However, recent reports suggest a decrease in China's unsafe interceptions of US military aircraft, indicating progress in enhancing operational safety.
