China, US militaries highlight value of good communication

The militaries of both China and the United States held a working group meeting for 2026 under the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement, or MMCA, mechanism in Hawaii from Thursday to Friday, China's navy announced on Monday night.

Guided by the important consensus on building a constructive relationship of strategic stability between China and the US, the two sides had "candid and constructive" exchanges on the current maritime and air security situation involving the two militaries, on the basis of equality and respect, the People's Liberation Army Navy said in a release.

The two sides assessed the implementation of the Rules of Behavior for Safety of Air and Maritime Encounters since the 2025 MMCA meeting, and discussed measures to improve China-US military maritime safety, the release said.

Both sides agreed that effective communication and exchanges between the two militaries will help both sides' military personnel carry out their missions in a "more professional" manner, enhance mutual understanding, and avoid misunderstanding and miscalculation, it said.

At the same time, the Chinese side firmly opposes any actions that endanger its sovereignty and security in the name of "freedom of navigation and overflight", as well as any infringing provocations and close-in reconnaissance and harassment targeting China, the navy said.

It added that China will continue to firmly safeguard national territorial sovereignty and maritime rights and interests in accordance with the law and regulations, and uphold regional peace and prosperity.