China, US military commanders snap 2-year break with talks in Canada

China and the United States have broken a two-year hiatus in top-level military communication with a meeting in Canada. General Yang Zhibin, the commander of the PLA's Eastern Theatre Command, and US Admiral Samuel Paparo convened at the Indo-Pacific Chiefs of Defence Conference in Victoria, British Columbia. Their discussions emphasized the necessity of maintaining open channels of dialogue to avert miscalculations and ensure safe, professional interactions between their forces.

This meeting marks the second theatre-level contact in two years, following the resumption of relations after China and the US pledged in 2023 to restart communications. The conference, co-hosted by Canadian Armed Forces and US Pacific Command, saw participation from 32 senior military representatives from 29 nations. General Yang's address highlighted China's role in regional peace and stability, while also proposing enhanced defence cooperation among regional countries.

Admiral Paparo engaged in bilateral talks with counterparts from Asia, Europe, Britain, and Australia, focusing on shared security interests and the Aukus pact. The Indo-Pacific chiefs of defence conference aims to address non-defence and non-military concerns, fostering strengthened relationships and promoting cooperation in addressing shared security challenges in the region.