Beijing has called on Washington to stop meddling in China’s maritime disputes with its neighbors.
What Happened: Hong Liang, the Chinese foreign ministry's director general for boundary and ocean affairs, and Mark Lambert, the U.S. State Department's China coordinator, held a virtual meeting on Friday. The discussions covered the South China Sea, East China Sea, and Taiwan Strait, the South China Morning Post reported on Tuesday.
The talks coincided with People's Liberation Army drills simulating a blockade of Taiwan, following the inauguration of Taiwan’s new leader, Lai Ching-te. Beijing described the exercises as a warning against Taiwanese separatist forces and external interference.
Washington expressed “deep concerns” over the drills and emphasized the need for peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait. Beijing urged the U.S. to stop supporting “Taiwan independence,” calling it the greatest threat to peace in the region.
"The U.S. should immediately cease its support and indulgence of ‘Taiwan independence' forces and fulfill its commitment of not supporting Taiwan independence," the Chinese readout said.
The two sides also discussed maritime disputes in the South China Sea and East China Sea. Beijing accused the US of infringing on its territorial sovereignty, while Washington criticized China’s “dangerous and destabilizing actions” that disrupt freedom of navigation.
Both sides agreed to maintain dialogue to avoid misunderstandings and manage maritime risks.
Why It Matters: The tensions between the U.S. and China over maritime disputes have been escalating over recent months. In April, China conducted military patrols in the South China Sea amid US naval drills, heightening the standoff between the two nations.
In May, China refuted claims by the Philippines that it was creating an artificial island in the South China Sea, calling the accusations “groundless and pure fabrication.” This incident further strained relations in the region.
Additionally, a senior U.S. lawmaker recently confirmed that Taiwan’s ordered weapons are on their way, as China escalates military tensions. This development underscores the ongoing arms race and the geopolitical stakes involved.
Image via Shutterstock
This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari
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