Head of PLA Expert Delegation Responds to U.S. Defense Secretary's Remarks: Looking Forward to China and the U.S. Moving Towards Each Other

[Global Times - Global Network Report by reporters Guo Yuandan and Su Yaxuan] The 23rd Shangri-La Dialogue is being held in Singapore. On the afternoon of the 30th, Professor Meng Xiangqing, head of the delegation of experts and scholars from the People's Liberation Army, responded to the remarks made by U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin during the morning session of the parallel group meetings, expressing hope that China and the U.S. would move towards each other, implement the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and promote the development of military relations in a healthy, stable, and sustainable direction.

In the morning, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin delivered a speech at the first plenary session and engaged in live interaction. Meng Xiangqing noted that he observed Austin mentioning in his speech the recent meeting between the two heads of state in Beijing and the consensus reached. "From the questions and reactions during the morning session, I felt that the meeting between the two heads of state has attracted a high level of attention at this Shangri-La Dialogue, further indicating that the stability of China-U.S. relations is beneficial not only to the people of both countries but also to regional stability and world peace."

Meng Xiangqing further stated that the most important political consensus from the meeting between the two heads of state is the agreement to build a "constructive strategic stability relationship between China and the U.S." "Constructive strategic stability between China and the U.S. should primarily be positive stability based on cooperation, it should be benign stability with moderated competition, it should be normal stability with controllable differences, and it should be lasting stability with peace in sight, providing strategic guidance for China-U.S. relations for the next three years and even longer. We also look forward to China and the U.S. moving towards each other, implementing the consensus reached by the two heads of state, and promoting military relations in a healthy, stable, and sustainable direction."