China's Ministry of National Defense "Maintain communication and coordination for military dialogue with the United States"

(Beijing = Yonhap News) Correspondent Jong-gu Han = The Chinese Ministry of National Defense announced that it is continuing communication and coordination for military dialogue with the United States and that it will strengthen exchanges between the two countries' military authorities.

On the 13th, when asked about the possibility of a visit to China by the US Secretary of Defense and the Commander of the Indo-Pacific Command, Chinese Ministry of National Defense spokesman Chen Shi said on the website, "China attaches great importance to strategic communication between the militaries of China and the United States. The defense authorities of the two countries are maintaining communication and coordination for exchanges and dialogue at all levels."

Spokesperson Cheon mentioned the 4th U.S.-China Crisis Communication and Prevention Working Group meeting held in Washington, D.C. on the 2nd and 3rd, and explained, "We exchanged in-depth opinions on the implementation of the agreement between the leaders of the two countries, strengthening communication and exchange, and preventing misunderstandings and misjudgments."

He then emphasized, "Keeping China-US military relations stable and healthy serves the common interests of both sides and is a universal expectation of the international community."

He added, "I hope that the United States will work with China to implement the important agreements between the two leaders, strengthen communication and dialogue, and appropriately manage differences. I hope that this will add positive elements to building a constructive, strategic and stable relationship."

Spokesperson Cheon, however, did not mention whether the U.S. Secretary of Defense and the Commander of the Indo-Pacific Command would visit China or the specific schedule.

Previously, Stephen Olins, Chairman of the National Council on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR), attended the 'Global Maritime Cooperation and Maritime Governance Forum' held in Sanya, Hainan Province, China, via video conference on the 6th and mentioned the possibility of a visit to China by U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Samuel Puffaro, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command.

The U.S. and China have been continuing dialogue between military authorities since agreeing to strengthen crisis communication and prevention in the military field at the summit last September.