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U.S., China begin defence talks

BEIJING: Defence officials from the U.S. and China met on Tuesday for the first time in 18 months at a time when the strategic relationship between the two countries is facing increasing strains from the security situation in North Korea and a spate of naval confrontations.

U.S. Under-Secretary of Defence Michele Flournoy’s two-day visit to Beijing will be the first high-level meeting between the two countries after China cancelled last October’s dialogue following the U.S. decision to sell arms valued at $6.5-billion to Taiwan, considered by China to be part of its territory.

Relations between the two countries have improved since, but are facing new challenges following North Korea’s decision to conduct nuclear and missile tests last month. U.S. officials said they would use the occasion to press China to use its influence to increase pressure on its neighbour, but the Chinese government has been reluctant to come down too heavily on its close ally. The United Nations Security Council on June 12 imposed sanctions on North Korea, calling for financial restrictions and tighter inspections of North Korean cargo vessels. The U.S. had reportedly favoured imposing stricter sanctions but faced some resistance from China.

The Chinese Foreign Ministry did not comment on what specific demands the U.S. had raised in Tuesdays meetings, but confirmed the North Korean issue figured in the discussions. Spokesman Qin Gang said: “The situation on the [Korean] peninsula is an issue of common interest. China and the U.S. discussing the situation is a natural thing and we take this consultation very seriously, and hope that we can get positive results out of it.”

He said the two countries would also discuss improving defence ties, which have come under strain following several naval confrontations in recent months. Only two weeks ago, a Chinese submarine collided with the USS John S. McCain of the U.S. Navy off the coast of the Philippines. In March, there were four confrontations in the South China Sea, following which China accused the U.S. of entering its waters.

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