US and Chinese military officials hold talks in Shanghai

The US military announced on Thursday (April 3) that American and Chinese military officials held talks in Shanghai, with a focus on reducing unsafe and unprofessional actions by Chinese military ships and aircraft.

Representatives from the US Indo-Pacific Command, US Pacific Fleet, US Pacific Air Force, and US Coast Guard joined their counterparts from the Chinese Navy and Air Force for the semi-annual Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) working group meeting.

According to a statement from the US Indo-Pacific Command, “US military officials traveled to Shanghai, China on April 2-3, 2025, to participate in working-level talks, with a focus on reducing the occurrence of unsafe and unprofessional actions by the Chinese (CCP) Navy and Air Force.”

For a long time, the US has criticized the Chinese military for its provocative flight and navigation operations in international waters and airspace, increasing the risk of miscalculation and conflict.

The Chinese military recently concluded a two-day military exercise surrounding Taiwan on April 2, including live-fire exercises in the East China Sea. The long-range live-fire exercise marked an escalation in the Chinese military exercises around Taiwan. The exercise involved the Army, Navy, Air Force, Rocket Force, and other branches with ships and aircraft operating near Taiwan.

China’s actions have drawn condemnation from various countries. The US State Department issued a statement condemning China’s behavior as aggressive, exacerbating tensions, and reaffirming America’s enduring commitment to Taiwan.

The US State Department stressed its support for peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait, opposing the unilateral use of force or coercion to change the status quo.