WASHINGTON: A senior US military official has cautioned his Chinese counterpart about Beijing's "dangerous" actions in the South China Sea during their first high-level military talks. This dialogue marks a renewed effort by Washington and Beijing to manage disputes and prevent potential conflicts.

Details of the Talks:

• Participants: The talks took place via video call between Admiral Samuel Paparo, Commander of the US Indo-Pacific Command, and General Wu Yanan, head of China's Southern Theater Command.
• US Concerns: Paparo emphasized the need for ongoing communication between the US military and the People's Liberation Army (PLA) to avoid misunderstandings and reduce the risk of conflict. He also highlighted recent unsafe interactions involving Chinese forces and urged a reassessment of China's aggressive tactics in the South China Sea.
• Chinese Perspective: Wu's command is responsible for military operations in the South China Sea, where tensions have escalated due to confrontations between Chinese and Philippine vessels. Beijing asserts its rights over nearly the entire South China Sea despite competing claims and an international court ruling against its claims.

Recent Developments:

• Chinese Claims: Beijing has recently stated it is defending its rights in the region, especially following an incident where a Chinese coast guard vessel reportedly rammed a Philippine ship.
• Diplomatic Efforts: The talks come after the US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's visit to China last month, which was the first of its kind since 2016. Sullivan discussed critical issues including freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

Chinese Response:

Red Lines: Chinese officials warned that Taiwan's status is a "red line" in US-China relations, urging the US to halt military support to Taiwan and stop spreading misleading information.
Future Plans:

Ongoing Dialogue: Both sides have agreed to maintain communication and work together to manage their differences, reflecting a mutual interest in stabilizing their complex relationship.

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