MAJOR GENERAL PAT RYDER: All right, well, good afternoon, everyone. Just a few things here at the top, then we’ll get right to your questions.
This morning, Secretary Austin had his first engagement with Admiral Dong Jun, Minister of National Defense of the People’s Republic of China, via teleconference from here at the Pentagon. The two leaders discussed U.S.-PRC defense relations and regional and global security issues.
During the discussion, Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China. He also underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea, and reiterated that the United States will continue to fly, sail, and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows.
Secretary Austin also discussed Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine and expressed concerns about recent provocations from the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. In addition, the Secretary reiterated that the United States remains committed to our longstanding One China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act, the Three U.S.-China Joint Communiques, and the Six Assurances, and he reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the strait.
The department will continue to engage in active discussions with PRC counterparts about future engagements between defense and military officials at multiple levels, as agreed to by President Biden and PRC President Xi Jinping in November 2023. A full readout of today’s call is available on Defense.gov.
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Q: In the Secretary’s call on PRC Minister today, did he bring up the issue of the air intercepts with American aircraft, and he pressed for an explanation of why those occurred and what the Chinese reasoning was for those.
GEN. RYDER: Yeah, thanks, Chris. I’m really not going to have much more to provide beyond what we included in our readout. As I mentioned, there was a discussion about the fact that the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows.
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Q: And then on the video call, did Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin mention the surge in sales that you confirmed yesterday that China has been doing, supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine. Did he mention that at all? And did he ask China to stop?
GEN. RYDER: You know, again, as I highlighted in the topper, the Secretary did raise Russian aggression in Ukraine. But beyond that, I’m not going to be able to provide any further details. Thank you.
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Q: I have a follow up on the Secretary’s call with the Chinese Defense Minister this morning, and during the call, did the Secretary receive any explanations or any commitment from the Chinese side regarding the recent tensions (inaudible) in the South China Sea?
GEN. RYDER: Yes, appreciate the question. I’ll let the — the PRC speak for themselves. Again, I’d refer you to the readout in terms of what was discussed and our positions.
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Q: Thank you. So, China has continued to become more aggressive towards the Philippines and in the past, MMCA, a U.S. official stated that we’ll continue to press the PRC on those issues, did Austin press them on this particular issue?
GEN. RYDER: Well, again, I’d refer you back to the readout, you know, the Secretary, as I highlighted, made clear in the discussion that it is important for the — to respect the high seas freedom of navigation that is guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea.
And that the United States will continue to fly, sail and operate safely and responsibly wherever international law allows.
Q: Correct, but did he press them on the – Thomas Shoal like the Philippines not just the South China…?
GEN. RYDER: Yes, I appreciate the question, I’d refer you back to the readout. That’s about the extent of what I can provide today.
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Source: U.S. Department of Defense
Speaker: Major General Pat Ryder, Pentagon Press Secretary
Format: Press Briefing
China Policy Research 