US, Chinese military commanders hold first theatre-level talks

The US and China held theatre-level commander talks for the first time on Sept 10, the Chinese authorities said, amid efforts to stabilise military ties and avoid misunderstandings, especially in regional hot spots such as the South China Sea.

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Washington seeks to open new channels of regular military communication with Beijing after ties sank to a historic low, following the United States' downing of a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon in 2023.

Admiral Sam Paparo, head of the US Indo-Pacific Command, held a video telephone call with his Chinese counterpart Wu Yanan of the Southern Theatre Command of the People's Liberation Army (PLA).

The US Indo-Pacific Command's areas of responsibility include the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, two hot spots for regional tension that are flashpoints in USChina ties.