Lloyd J. Austin III Secretary of Defence | Official website
Dr. Ely Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, engaged in a video teleconference with People's Republic of China (PRC) Major General Li Bin, Director of the Central Military Commission Office for International Military Cooperation. The conversation was centered around issues of mutual concern.
DOD Spokesperson LTC Martin Meiners provided the following readout: "The two officials discussed U.S.-PRC defense relations, and Assistant Secretary Ratner highlighted the importance of maintaining open lines of communication in defense channels to reduce the risks of miscommunication."
Ratner also emphasized the significance of calls between the Commander of U.S. Indo-Pacific Command and the PRC Southern and Eastern Theater Commanders. This follows an announcement made by President Biden and PRC President Xi Jinping in November 2023, where they agreed that both countries would arrange telephone conversations between theater commanders.
Ratner also discussed operational safety across the Indo-Pacific region and reiterated that "the U.S. commitment to allies in the Indo-Pacific and globally remains ironclad."
Further discussions were held on regional and global security issues. Ratner underscored respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law. He raised concerns over dangerous PRC actions against lawfully operating Philippine vessels in the South China Sea.
The relationship between Russia and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK) was also discussed, as well as serious concern over the PRC’s support for Russia’s defense industrial base enabling Russia’s war in Ukraine.
Finally, Ratner reiterated that "the United States remains committed to our longstanding one China policy," which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances. He reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Strait.
