Rivalries aside, it’s vital for US and Chinese navies to keep talking

April 23 marked the 75th anniversary of the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) Navy in China, celebrated with various activities showcasing its achievements, capabilities and contributions to national defence and maritime security.

Alongside events in multiple coastal cities offering visitors the opportunity to board PLA navy vessels, significant attention was focused on the start of the 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium in Qingdao, held from April 21 to 24.

Themed “Seas of Shared Future”, this biennial meeting was convened with more than 180 foreign naval officials from 29 countries, who voted to adopt the latest version of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea and the updated disaster response guidelines. Additionally, it served as a stage for military diplomacy, and was closely observed for signs of increased engagement between China and the United States.

On April 23, during a talk in Washington, US navy secretary Carlos Del Toro called for enhanced engagement between the navies of both countries, in traditional and non-traditional security fields. He stressed the significance of cultivating a sustainable military relationship with China. This stance was articulated even as he has acknowledged that the recent trilateral summit involving the US, Japan and the Philippines was prompted by concerns over China’s maritime claims.

Amid discussions on China-US naval competition, concerns have arisen about major shipbuilding delays in the US. Some have even labelled the shipping industry as a new battleground in the US-China trade war. Additionally, there are concerns about China’s burgeoning shipbuilding industry and the PLA Navy’s expanding capacity, potentially providing Beijing with a strategic advantage in conflicts.

There are growing calls advocating for the US Navy to promptly develop and deploy additional capabilities, as well as address issues with ship design, production, maintenance, repair and human resources. Del Toro has said the US would be open to shipyards in Japan and South Korea assembling some warships to increase production.

Amid an increased US military presence in the South China Sea and the recent deployment of its Mid-Range Capability missile system, also known as the Typhon Weapon System, on the northern Philippine Island of Luzon, fostering increased dialogue between naval forces on maritime security issues is vital.

The participation of US Pacific Fleet Commander Admiral Stephen Koehler at the latest Western Pacific Naval Symposium – following the first in-person meeting between US and Chinese military representatives in years, held in Hawaii in early April – signifies a shared political willingness to address maritime security challenges.

Both the US and China have shown the multifaceted roles of their navies, which encompass traditional and non-traditional security functions such as research, rescue, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and counter-piracy operations. For instance, the PLA Navy has collaborated with the US to combat piracy, notably off the coast of Somalia.

For more than 15 years, the PLA Navy has conducted hundreds of escort missions to safeguard international trade routes. In light of the current crisis in the Red Sea, there is growing pressure for collaboration between the Chinese and US navies in jointly escorting commercial vessels.

The US and China have collaborated on maritime law-enforcement matters, including efforts to combat illegal fishing and smuggling. Both countries are parties to international fisheries conventions and agreements.

These agreements aim to promote the conservation of fish stocks, ranging from bluefin tuna and pollock to endangered species of wild fauna and flora. One of the latest is the Agreement to Prevent Unregulated High Seas Fisheries in the Central Arctic Ocean, which aims to implement precautionary conservation and management measures.

Both China and the US have also helped other countries in their response to natural disasters and humanitarian crises. This includes deploying naval vessels, aircraft and personnel to deliver aid, conduct medical evacuations and support relief efforts.

US-China dialogue on maritime security issues, such as the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA), serve as a platform for communication, crisis management and confidence-building measures.

The two-day discussions in Honolulu earlier this month marked the resumption of the MMCA Working Group, a series of annual operational safety dialogues. Military dialogue between the US and China had been suspended until high-level meetings last November in San Francisco.

During the discussions in Honolulu, military officials from both countries reviewed recent safety-related events in the region and discussed strategies for maintaining professionalism as well as maritime and aerial operational safety.

While cooperation in maritime security remains possible, it is overshadowed by overall US-China competition and geopolitical tensions. In the future, both countries are expected to persist in their strategic competition across various domains, including military capabilities, technology development, shipbuilding capacity, and influence in both regional and global affairs.

This rivalry may lead to an increased military presence as well as exercises and deployments in strategically significant areas. Therefore, effectively managing differences, fostering trust and adhering to international norms and rules are critical challenges when it comes to advancing US-China cooperation in this vital domain.

Improving communication among junior naval officials through various channels, such as capacity building and training, could also help to cultivate navy-to-navy relationships.

Furthermore, both navies should remain engaged in multilateral forums and initiatives focused on enhancing security and safety of navigation, regardless of whether they are sailing in international waters or in contested areas.

The 19th Western Pacific Naval Symposium provided a good example of a forum for dialogue and cooperation among naval officials from diverse nations, including the US and China.