Biden
US official said on November 14, 2023 that President Joe Biden will push China to resume military ties with the US when he meets with Chinese President Xi Jinping at the G20 summit on the sidelines of the APEC summit in Indonesia.
The official said that Biden will tell Xi that it is in the best interests of both countries to resume military-to-military communication and exchanges.
The official said that Biden will also tell Xi that the US is committed to avoiding conflict with China and that the US is open to dialogue on all issues of mutual concern.
The US and China suspended military ties in August 2022 after China suspended regular contacts with the US military in retaliation for former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan.
The suspension of military ties has raised concerns about the risk of miscalculation and accidents between the two militaries.
The US has been urging China to resume military ties, but China has so far refused. China has said that the US must first take steps to improve relations between the two countries, such as lifting sanctions on China and withdrawing US support for Taiwan.
It remains to be seen whether Biden will be able to persuade Xi to resume military ties. However, the fact that Biden is willing to meet with Xi and to discuss this issue is a positive sign.
It is important for the US and China to maintain communication and dialogue, even when they disagree on important issues.