US Defence Official Delivers Rare Speech at Chinese Embassy's Army Day Reception Amid Tensions
L'essentiel
US Deputy Assistant Defence Secretary Alvaro Smith spoke at China's Army Day reception, a rare move, emphasizing no desire for conflict and seeking a peaceful US-China relationship ahead of President Xi Jinping's September US visit.
Résumé généré par IA
Pourquoi c'est important
Tensions between the US and China have been high, with diplomatic channels being cautiously reopened.
Under the leadership of Secretary Pete Hegseth, we are actively repairing a once broken military-to-military channel and making clear, steady progress,” said Alvaro Smith, deputy assistant defence secretary for China, Taiwan and Mongolia. While it is not unusual for US officials – civilian or uniformed – to attend the Chinese embassy’s Army Day reception, it is not typical for a Defence Department policymaker to deliver a speech at the event. It comes as preparations are under way for a US visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September. Last week, China’s foreign vice-minister, Ma Zhaoxu, travelled to Washington to lay the groundwork for that trip, while Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel went to Beijing. During Tuesday’s reception, Smith also said Washington was not seeking “conflict with China” and hoped to maintain a “peaceful” and “respectful” bilateral relationship.
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Perspective IA — des possibilités, pas des certitudes
Increased diplomatic engagements before Xi's visit
Probable · En quelques semaines
Questions ouvertes
- What are the key agenda items for Xi Jinping's US visit?
- How will the US-China military channel repairs impact regional security?
