The Pacific Dialogue is a new way to virtually connect thought leaders across the Pacific Ocean to continue frank and direct conversations during this difficult time. 

This is short version of episode four of The Pacific Dialogue, featuring retired Chinese People’s Liberation Army major general Yao Yunzhu and Admiral William Owens, a four star U.S. navy veteran.

The conversation took place on August 8, 2020, and was moderated by China-US Focus Editor-at-Large James Chau in Hong Kong.

The dialogue focuses on the most pressing challenges facing the United States-China relations, in particular the interactions between the militaries of the two powers. Major General Yao started by addressing the question on the escalation of tensions in the South China Sea, stating the situation there is at a critical moment, and adding later on in the dialogue that the two militaries should step up on crisis communication, crisis prevention and crisis management citing the August 6 phone call between Secretary of Defense Mark Esper and China’s Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe. Admiral Owens said he believed that the two militaries can find solutions to address the issues of freedom of navigation and reconnaissance through diplomacy and cooperation.  The two guests also discussed how the two militaries view each other with Major General Yao saying that the Chinese PLA still intends to work with its U.S. counterparts to avoid military confrontation. 

Other issues the guests commented on include the global nuclear policy, the rising US-China tech rivalry that is shaping the economic relations. 

The Pacific Dialogue videos:

Militaries Need Crisis Management | Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4