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US-China relations
ChinaDiplomacy

Why was the PLA at the China-US talks in Alaska?

  • Members of the Chinese armed forces played an important support role at the top-level talks, a military source says
  • The PLA presence also sent a message about hopes for a better relationship with the Pentagon, the source says

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The PLA is hoping to foster a better military-to-military relationship with its US counterpart, according to a Chinese military source. Photo: Reuters
Minnie Chan
Members of the Chinese military were on hand at the high-level talks in Alaska last week, playing a supporting advisory role as Beijing and Washington reached consensus on various security issues.

A Chinese military source said this presence indicated that Beijing was eager to develop the talks into a strategic dialogue and prevent accidental military conflicts.

The source said the People’s Liberation Army offered advice on Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea, as well as efforts to prevent accidental military conflicts in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea.

“The Chinese foreign ministry played the leading role in the Alaska talks, while the Office for International Military Cooperation also sent officials to give support,” the source said referring to the Central Military Commission department that oversees military diplomacy.

“The PLA has played a role in Afghanistan, Iran, and North Korea, areas where the interests of China and the United States intersect.”

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