Meeting between Chinese, US defense chiefs requires suitable atmosphere, communication must be guided by principles: Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson

Chinese Defense Ministry spokesperson Wu Qian said on Thursday that a meeting between Chinese and US defense chiefs requires a suitable atmosphere, and communication must be guided by principles.

The spokesperson made the remarks at a regular press conference on Thursday when asked whether the absence of a meeting between the defense chiefs of the two countries at the 11th ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting (ADMM) Plus will affect communication with the next US Secretary of Defense. He was also asked about China's position on military dialogue between the two countries, under the background that there are occasional voices from the US side urging for military dialogue between the two countries.

Wu said that China maintains clear principles for developing military relations between China and the US, which are that China's sovereignty, dignity, and core interests are inviolable. Meetings require a suitable atmosphere, and communication must be guided by principles. 

The US side should not present a posture of seeking dialogue while knowingly engaging in actions that harm China's core interests, Wu said. "Don't they have s any self-awareness in their hearts?" he asked.