On May 23, U.S. Department of State China Coordinator and Deputy Assistant Secretary for China and Taiwan Mark B. Lambert held a virtual meeting with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Director-General for Boundary and Ocean Affairs Hong Liang. The dialogue centered on the current situation in the South China Sea and East China Sea, alongside other maritime issues.
During the discussion, the United States expressed concerns over what it described as the PRC's "dangerous and destabilizing actions" that interfere with other states' exercise of high seas freedoms of navigation. The U.S. reaffirmed its alliance commitments and support for upholding international law regarding maritime conduct.
Additionally, the United States emphasized the importance of maintaining peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Concerns were shared about recent joint military drills conducted by the People’s Liberation Army in and around the Taiwan Strait.
This consultation follows previous maritime discussions held in Beijing on November 3, 2023, as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication to responsibly manage U.S.-PRC relations.
