US and China Held "Candid and Constructive" Maritime Security Talks in Hawaii

SadaNews - The Chinese navy announced today, Saturday, that the US and Chinese militaries held "candid and constructive" maritime security talks last week, as the two superpowers gradually restored communications between their armed forces after several months of trade tensions.

The official account of the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Navy on social media stated in a statement that the meetings took place at the working level from November 18 to 20 in Hawaii, according to Reuters.

US and Chinese military officials had working-level talks in April, in the first of its kind regarding military issues since President Donald Trump's second term began. These talks, conducted semi-annually, are known as the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement Working Group.

The Chinese navy said in its statement: "The two sides had candid and constructive discussions... mainly exchanging views on the current maritime and aerial security situation between China and the United States."

China also criticized in the statement the freedom of navigation operations conducted by the United States. These maneuvers are frequently carried out in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, two areas that Beijing considers under its sovereignty, despite being international waters.

The Chinese navy stated in its report, referring to the maritime and aerial crossings carried out by US forces there: "China... strongly opposes any violations or provocations."

The statement reported that the two sides also discussed "usual cases of maritime and aerial confrontations between the two militaries... with the aim of helping Chinese and American, naval and aerial, frontline forces interact more professionally and safely."

In last month's meeting, US Secretary of Defense Ben Hegseth raised concerns about Chinese military activity in the South China Sea and around Taiwan during a meeting with his Chinese counterpart Dong Jun.

China continues to enhance the deployment of its air, naval, and coast guard forces around Taiwan, a democratically governed island that Beijing considers a province under its control, which the Taipei government firmly rejects.

The Pentagon seeks to improve communication with China regarding its military modernization and regional posture, calling for more transparency about the increase in nuclear arsenals and broader discussions at the field level with military leaders.

The statement indicated that the working group will hold a follow-up meeting in 2026.