December 2025 U.S.-China Defense Talks: Key Coordination Insights Released
In December 2025, significant defense discussions took place between the United States and China. The 19th annual U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks were held from December 15 to 16 in Washington, D.C.
U.S.-China Defense Meetings Overview
Deputy Assistant Secretary of War for China, Taiwan, and Mongolia, Alvaro Smith, led the U.S. delegation. He met with Major General Ye Jiang, the Deputy Director of the Central Military Commission Office for International Military Cooperation from China.
Key Objectives of the Talks
The dialogue focused on enhancing military communication between the U.S. and China. Smith emphasized the importance of these communications in promoting strategic stability and managing crises. He stated that increasing military-to-military interactions can assist in de-escalation efforts between the two nations.
- Support for military-to-military communications.
- Focus on strategic stability and crisis management.
- Reinforcement of U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific.
Alignment with U.S. Foreign Policy
Smith highlighted that the discussions align with ongoing diplomatic efforts aimed at fostering peaceful relations between the United States and China. He reinforced the notion that American interests in the Indo-Pacific are significant yet balanced.
These recent talks build on prior engagements, including a meeting between Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and China’s Minister of National Defense, Admiral Dong Jun, during the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus (ADMM+) on October 31. This ongoing dialogue underscores the commitment from both nations to address defense-related challenges collaboratively.
The U.S.-China Defense Policy Coordination Talks are crucial for establishing frameworks that could potentially lead to a more stable and cooperative security environment in the region.
