Lieutenant General He Lei, former vice president of the Academy of Military Sciences for the People’s Liberation Army (PLA), stressed the importance of strong communication between the Chinese and U.S. militaries during the ongoing Beijing Xiangshan Forum. Welcoming the U.S. Department of Defense delegation, He highlighted that maintaining open dialogue is essential for avoiding misjudgments and effectively managing differences and risks.
The U.S. delegation, led by Michael Chase, the deputy assistant secretary of defense, represents a higher-level U.S. presence at this year’s forum compared to the previous year. He Lei noted that China is open to positive interactions with U.S. military officials, emphasizing that military exchanges between the two nations act as a stabilizing force in their broader bilateral relationship. Such engagements, he said, promote strategic communication and reduce the risk of miscalculations.
Earlier in the week, senior military commanders from China and the U.S. held a video conference, resuming all military communication channels agreed upon by their respective leaders during the November 2023 San Francisco summit. This followed a series of high-level military dialogues that took place throughout the year in Singapore, Washington, D.C., and Hawaii.
He described the current state of China-U.S. military relations as moving in a positive direction, reaffirming that these ties serve as both a stabilizer and a “ballast stone” for the broader bilateral relationship. He expressed hopes for continued discussions at the forum, where China plans to reiterate its firm stance on key national interests.
Despite the ongoing dialogue, He pointed out that the U.S. still harbors misconceptions about China, particularly due to the persistent “China threat” narrative. He compared the need for clarity in strategic perception to “ensuring the first button of a shirt is put right,” urging both sides to accurately define whether they see each other as partners, competitors, or adversaries.
He stressed the importance of following through on agreements made by the two countries’ leaders without empty promises, reiterating China’s commitment to peaceful development and equal treatment of all nations, regardless of size or power. He contrasted this with what he described as the U.S.’s desire to maintain global dominance.
Concluding his remarks, He emphasized that China’s military strength is aimed at defending national interests and contributing to global peace. He expressed optimism that the U.S. delegation would engage constructively during the forum, fostering improved relations between the two militaries.
