inese and Russian military leaders criticized the United States at a security forum in Beijing, even as China’s second-highest military commander expressed a desire to enhance defense ties with the U.S. The absence of regular communication between the U.S. and Chinese militaries has been a concern, given the ongoing tensions between the two nations and the potential for accidental clashes in the South China Sea or near Taiwan.
The Beijing Xiangshan Forum, China’s largest annual military diplomacy event, began with a U.S. delegation in attendance but without China’s defense minister, who typically hosts the event. Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu warned the West about its involvement in the Ukraine conflict, emphasizing the risk of a direct military confrontation between nuclear powers.
He also mentioned the West’s intent to inflict a “strategic defeat” on Russia in a “hybrid war” and praised the model of Russia-China relations. Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, delivered veiled criticism of the United States and its allies, accusing “some countries” of trying to undermine the Chinese government. However, Zhang emphasized the need for improved military ties with the United States, expressing China’s willingness to develop military relations based on mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation. inese and Russian military
Notably, there has been no high-level military-to-military communication between China and the U.S. since the former Chinese defense minister, Li Shangfu, was sanctioned by Washington in March. Li was removed from his position last week, and China has not yet named a replacement. Despite the recent conciliatory diplomatic exchanges, Chinese military leaders did not show a softer stance on issues such as Taiwan, emphasizing that any use of force against Taiwan would be seen as a “just and legitimate war” for reunification.