© Reuters. U.S. Navy Admiral Lisa Franchetti poses in an undated handout photograph, obtained by Reuters on November 2, 2023. U.S. Division of Protection/Handout by way of REUTERS/ File Photograph
By Greg Torode
HONG KONG (Reuters) – The U.S. Navy was “excited” by the prospect of improved operational communications with the Chinese language navy amid regional tensions, however work was nonetheless wanted to solidify the subsequent steps, a senior U.S. naval officer stated on Friday.
Admiral Lisa Franchetti, U.S. Navy Chief of Operations, advised a media briefing throughout a go to to Seoul that it was important to take care of open traces of communications between the 2 militaries to keep away from “misunderstandings and miscalculations” that might result in battle.
“I am very excited and I welcome that announcement,” she stated of China’s settlement to renew phone communications between theatre instructions, one thing U.S. officers have been desirous to develop.
“These agreements had been reached only in the near past, and we all know that we have now work with the PRC mil to do to solidify the subsequent steps,” Franchetti stated.
Her remarks come after agreements this month by U.S. President Joe Biden and China’s Xi Jinping to renew navy contacts that Beijing froze after then-Home of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan in August 2022.
The necessity for improved navy communications was a part of 4 hours of discussions when the 2 leaders meet in San Francisco final week, talks that lined tensions over Taiwan, Iran and co-operation over decreasing the movement to the opioid fentanyl to the USA.