The Pentagon said on Wednesday that The US and Chinese military officials held “frank, in-depth” conversations this week on a range of defense matters, as the two countries grapple with competing interests in the Indo-Pacific area.

According to the Pentagon, US deputy assistant secretary of defence for China Michael Chase met with Chinese Major General Huang Xueping via video conference on Tuesday and Wednesday.

“During the talks, the two sides held a frank, in-depth, and open discussion on a range of issues affecting the U.S.-PRC defense relationship,” the statement said, using the acronym for the People’s Republic of China.Both sides reaffirmed consensus to keep communication channels open,” it said.

The talks took place two weeks after the US, the UK, and Australia unveiled a security treaty that will supply Australia with nuclear-powered submarines, a move that Beijing has condemned. The AUKUS treaty is viewed as a response by Western allies to prevent Chinese hegemony in Southeast Asia and beyond, particularly in the South China Sea.

The Pentagon said that during the talks with China “the U.S. side also made clear our commitment to uphold shared principles with our allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific region.”

This was the 16th round of the Defense Policy Coordination talks between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. On Jan. 14, 2020, under the administration of former US President Donald Trump, the final round was held.

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