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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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Xi Jinping, Joe Biden hold talks on sidelines of Apec summit to ease strained US-China ties

During the discussions in Honolulu, military officials from both countries reviewed recent safety-related