President Joe Biden is taking steps to re-establish military-to-military ties with China, a move aimed at improving bilateral relations and ensuring U.S. national security. White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan recently confirmed the president’s intention to renew these crucial connections.
To facilitate this endeavor, President Biden will have an opportunity to meet Chinese President Xi Jinping face-to-face for the first time in a year during the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation summit. The president recognizes the importance of re-establishing military ties in order to avoid any potential mistakes, miscalculations, or miscommunication that could have dire consequences.
The restoration of military ties between the U.S. and China could occur at various levels, both at senior leadership and tactical operational levels. These ties would involve cooperation on land and in the air in the Indo-Pacific region, a region of strategic importance to both countries.
While specific details regarding the re-establishment of military ties have not been provided yet, President Biden intends to discuss this issue during his meeting with President Xi. The meeting, however, will not be limited to military matters; it will also cover a range of global issues that are of mutual concern.
These global issues include the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas, Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, North Korea’s relationship with Russia, Taiwan, the Indo-Pacific region, human rights concerns, fentanyl production, artificial intelligence, as well as fair trade and economic relations.
It is worth noting that relations between the U.S. and China have experienced strains in recent months. The shooting down of a suspected Chinese spy balloon by the U.S. in February further exacerbated the already tense situation. Nevertheless, efforts have been made to rebuild communication and trust through visits and meetings between administration officials.
President Biden’s commitment to re-establishing military ties with China reflects his administration’s desire to strengthen relations with one of the world’s major powers. By prioritizing diplomacy and open dialogue, the U.S. aims to foster mutual understanding and cooperation in order to address pressing global challenges. The upcoming meeting between President Biden and President Xi serves as a significant step towards achieving these objectives.
