U.S. Naval Chief Sasy U.S. And Chinese Navies Are In Talks To Reduce The Risk Of South China Sea Miscalculations

SCMP: US naval chief: American and Chinese navies in talks to reduce risk of South China Sea miscalculation

* Admiral John Richardson said a ‘continuous dialogue’ is aimed at building understanding
* Talks signal the countries are moving to reduce tensions in the disputed waters

The US naval chief said on Monday that the US and Chinese navies are engaged in “continuous dialogues” to reduce the risk of a military miscalculation in the South China Sea.

Admiral John Richardson told an audience at the Washington-based Brookings Institute that the interchanges between the two navies aim to build communication to avoid a potentially disastrous blunder. The discussions are a positive sign that China and the US are moving forward with a plan to reduce tensions in the disputed waters.

Concerns about the chances of an incident at sea occurring grew in September after a PLA Navy ship nearly collided with an American destroyer, the Decatur, which sailed near an islet claimed by Beijing in the Spratly archipelago, known in China as the Nansha Islands.

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WNU Editor: Admiral John Richardson says that recent talks with his Chinese counterpart were constructive, but he also admits that the differences are very great. What's my take. The Chinese believe that the South China Sea is Chinese territory, and they have said more than once that they will never renounce their claims to it. How can anyone negotiate with someone who has that position is beyond me.