China seeks strengthened military communication with United States following working group meeting

China's Ministry of National Defense expressed interest in strengthening strategic communication with the United States military to serve shared interests and prevent misunderstandings. The Chinese government issued a statement on Friday, November 13, 2026, regarding military-to-military engagement following recent bilateral discussions. These efforts aim to manage differences and maintain stable relations between the two global powers.

Bilateral working group discussions

The Chinese and United States militaries held the 4th Crisis Communication and Prevention Working Group meeting in Washington, D.C. on November 2-3, 2026. This meeting focused on implementing a consensus previously reached by the presidents of China and the United States. During the sessions, both sides exchanged views on improving military communication to prevent potential miscalculations and misunderstandings.

Chen Xi, the spokesperson for China's Ministry of National Defense, said that China maintains dialogue with the US defense establishment at various levels. Chen Xi stated, "China hopes the US will work to implement presidential consensus, enhance communication, and properly manage differences." The spokesperson emphasized that maintaining stable, healthy, and sustainable military relations serves the interests of both sides and the international community.

Potential high-level visits

While official schedules remain unconfirmed, high-level military diplomacy may continue in the near future. Global Times reported that the US Secretary of Defense and the Commander of the US Pacific Command may soon visit China. Such visits would represent a significant step in the ongoing efforts to stabilize military-to-military relations between the two nations.

The Chinese Ministry of National Defense noted that China remains interested in strengthening strategic communication with the US military. This interest is intended to serve the shared interests of both nations and the broader international community. The recent working group meeting serves as a platform to address regional security concerns through direct military channels.

Regional security context

The call for increased communication occurs during a period of intense strategic competition between the two nations. The two countries maintain differing positions on various regional security issues. These issues include the status of Taiwan, developments in the South China Sea, and the presence of the US military in the Indo-Pacific region.

The focus on crisis communication aims to provide a mechanism for managing these tensions. By establishing clearer lines of communication, both the Chinese and United States militaries seek to avoid accidental escalations. The 4th iteration of the Crisis Communication and Prevention Working Group highlights the ongoing necessity for these technical and strategic dialogues to prevent regional instability.

Glossary

• Ministry of National Defense — The Ministry of National Defense is a Chinese government body. It maintains dialogue with the US defense establishment at various levels.
• US Pacific Command — The US Pacific Command is a military command. It is a component of the US military that may conduct visits to China.
• Taiwan — Taiwan is a location whose status is a regional security issue. It is a subject of differing positions between China and the United States.