Beijing, (TDI): Lieutenant General He Lei, former vice president of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Academy of Military Sciences, met with Michael Chase, US Deputy Assistant Secretary of Defense, on Friday at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum.
The informal meeting, which took place at a café during the military diplomacy conference, reflects the ongoing efforts to sustain China-US military engagement.
Chase, leading a US Department of Defense delegation at the forum, exchanged pleasantries with He and received souvenirs from the PLA official.
He Lei described the encounter as a “chance meeting” but a positive one.
He noted that Chase’s visit aligned with efforts to implement the consensus reached by the leaders of China and the US during their recent talks in San Francisco.
Strategic Communication Emphasized
He emphasized that such exchanges could help improve strategic communication between military leaders, reducing miscalculation and managing risks.
He Lei also showcased a badge from the PLA’s Academy of Military Sciences, symbolizing China’s defense policy, which he explained is defensive in nature, represented by the Great Wall, and committed to peace, symbolized by an olive branch.
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The Chinese general expressed hope for continued dialogue between the two militaries, stating that deeper engagement could foster better understanding of China’s defense policies.
He acknowledged, however, that challenges between the two nations and their armed forces cannot be resolved through one or two meetings.
Still, enhanced communication could help bridge gaps and contribute to regional and global peace, He Lei added.
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Chase reportedly plans to visit the Academy of Military Sciences, which He described as a positive step in ongoing engagement efforts.
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