The withdrawal of the US aircraft carrier from the South China Sea, what China wants, Biden finally agreed, the Chinese and US military hold consultations, what does the Chinese side want? What exactly did the Chinese and US military consultations say?
Over the past few days, there has been constant news about official exchanges between China and the United States, and there is quite an atmosphere in which Sino-US relations are approaching relaxation and improvement. First of all, the Chinese leader recently had a telephone conversation with US President Joe Biden at the invitation of the two heads of state, during which the two heads of state had a frank and in-depth exchange of views on China-US relations and issues of common concern. During the phone call, the Chinese leader clearly pointed out that there are several major principles to be adhered to in Sino-US relations this year. First, we should value peace, adhere to the bottom line of non-conflict and non-confrontation, and constantly raise positive expectations for China-US relations. The second is to put stability first, not toss, not provoke, and not cross the line, so as to maintain the overall stability of China-US relations. The third is to be faith-based, fulfill their commitments with actions, and turn the "San Francisco Vision" into a "real scene". At the same time, the Chinese side stressed that the issue of strategic perception has always been the "first button" that must be buttoned up in China-US relations. China and the United States should respect each other, coexist peacefully, and cooperate for win-win results, and continue to move forward on a stable, healthy, and sustainable path, rather than going back. The two sides need to strengthen dialogue in a respectful manner, manage differences in a prudent manner, promote cooperation in a spirit of reciprocity, and strengthen international coordination in a responsible manner. It can be said that the Chinese leader's remarks are not only a kind reminder of the US side, but also what the Chinese side wants.
It seems that the Biden administration has finally agreed to this expectation of the Chinese side, because just after the phone call between the leaders of China and the United States, the Chinese and US militaries held the 2024 working group meeting of the China-US Maritime Military Security Consultative Mechanism in Hawaii, USA. The purpose of the meeting was to implement the important consensus reached by the two heads of state and promote the healthy, stable and sustainable development of relations between the two militaries. On the basis of equality and respect, the two sides had a frank and constructive exchange on the current China-US maritime and air security situation, assessed the implementation of the "China-US Code of Conduct for the Safety of Air-Sea Encounters", and discussed measures to improve China-US maritime military security. During the meeting, the Chinese side also made it clear that the safety of warships and aircraft is inseparable from national security, and China firmly opposes any endangerment of China's sovereignty and security in the name of freedom of navigation and overflight. The Chinese armed forces will continue to respond to all dangerous and provocative actions in accordance with laws and regulations, firmly safeguard their territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests, and safeguard regional peace, stability and prosperity.
A few days before the Sino-US maritime military consultations, the US aircraft carrier even took the initiative to withdraw from the South China Sea. According to satellite remote sensing images, the US Navy's "Roosevelt" aircraft carrier strike group sailed out of the South China Sea through the Balabac Strait and entered the Sulu Sea. It has been learned that the USS Roosevelt aircraft carrier strike group sailed into the South China Sea via the Bass Strait on 1 March, docked in Singapore on 20 March, and entered the South China Sea again on 24 March. The withdrawal of the US aircraft carrier from the South China Sea on the eve of the phone call between the Chinese and US leaders and before the Sino-US maritime military consultations cannot be ruled out as a possible signal of détente from the Biden administration.
In addition, in response to the words of the Chinese leader, Biden himself once again reiterated his earlier commitment to China's "four noes and one no", that is, "the United States does not seek to engage in a 'new Cold War', does not seek to change China's system, does not seek to oppose China by strengthening alliances, does not support 'Taiwan independence', and has no intention of clashing with China", and Biden also added two "nos", that is, "does not seek to contain China's development, and does not seek 'decoupling' from China". Although the Biden administration has once again made a commitment to what China wants and has released some "détente" signals, it remains to be seen whether the US can fulfill its commitments. At the time of US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen's visit to China, and the US side has also asked the mainland, in this case, it is reasonable for the Biden administration to release some "détente" signals to China, of course, this does not mean that the Biden administration will continue to fulfill its commitments to China after this, after all, in the current context of the comprehensive game between China and the United States, the US side has not "said one thing and done another" has not been once or twice.