Direct lines of communication between American and Chinese military forces are set to be reopened after more than a year, according to an announcement by Joe Biden. The US president made the statement following a meeting with China’s premier Xi Jinping in California, stating that restoring military-to-military communications would help prevent accidents from escalating into larger conflicts. China suspended direct military contact with the US in April 2022 following Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, which China considers a breakaway province. The decision to restart communication was one of three agreements presented by President Biden after his face-to-face discussions with President Xi. These agreements include curbing fentanyl production, addressing the risks of artificial intelligence, and exchanging views on global issues such as the Israel-Hamas conflict and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. President Biden also raised concerns about human rights abuses and China’s expansion of maritime operations in the South China Sea but reiterated the US’s commitment to the “One China” policy. The US president emphasized the importance of open and direct communication between the two countries, stating that they are in a competitive relationship but must manage it rationally to avoid conflict. The meeting between Biden and Xi took place at the Filoli estate in California and aimed to restore a normal course in US-China relations. The strained tensions between the two countries have been further exacerbated by recent events, including the downing of a Chinese “spy” balloon, differences on Taiwan, and China’s hacking of a Biden official’s emails. President Xi expressed a desire for assurances from Biden regarding Taiwan, a new Cold War, and China’s economic growth. Both leaders highlighted the importance of understanding each other and addressing global challenges through joint leadership. The White House later described the talks as “candid and constructive” and announced the resumption of high-level military communications and telephone conversations between theatre commanders.
