BEIJING, Apr. 17 -- Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun held a video call with US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on the evening of April 16.
Admiral Dong Jun said that the presidents of China and the US are committed to stabilizing and improving bilateral relations. The military domain plays a pivotal role in implementing the consensus reached by the heads of state, stabilizing the development of bilateral relations, and preventing major crises. The two militaries should explore ways to get along with each other, taking peace, stability and trust as the basic principles of their exchanges, and build the military-to-military relationship featuring no conflict, no confrontation, open and pragmatic cooperation and gradual accumulation of mutual trust based on equality and mutual respect, so as to truly serve as a stable cornerstone for the development of relations between the two countries.
Admiral Dong emphasized that the Taiwan question is the very core of China's core interests and China's core interests brook no compromise. The Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) will never let any "Taiwan independence" separatist activities and external supports go unchecked. The current situation in the South China Sea is generally stable, and regional countries have the willingness, wisdom, and capability to resolve the issue. The US should clearly recognize China's firm position, earnestly respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in the South China Sea, and take practical actions to maintain regional peace and the stability of the relations between the two countries and the two militaries.
The two sides also exchanged views on other issues of common concern.
