Unprecedented military talks between U.S. and Chinese commanders took place recently, marking the first such discussions since China suspended military communications in 2022.

Paparo also expressed concerns about unsafe interactions between the Chinese military and U.S. allies, urging a reconsideration of coercive tactics in the South China Sea.

These talks followed U.S. National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan's visit to China, which was the first of its kind since 2016.

The primary goal of the discussions was to re-establish military communication between Washington and Beijing amid ongoing tensions related to trade, Taiwan, and maritime disputes.

During the meeting, Sullivan and Chinese military official Zhang Youxia focused on critical issues such as freedom of navigation in the South China Sea and stability in the Taiwan Strait.

China's expansive claims over nearly the entire South China Sea continue to contradict assertions from other nations and an international court ruling that deemed these claims legally unfounded.

Samuel Paparo, Commander of the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, stressed the importance of clear communication to prevent misperceptions and miscalculations between the two military powers.

Zhang emphasized that Taiwan's status remains a pivotal issue in U.S.-China relations, urging the U.S. to cease military support to Taiwan.

A senior U.S. military official warned China against its 'dangerous' actions in the South China Sea during these critical talks.