China and the US held the second round of China-US maritime affairs consultations via video on Friday, according to a readout issued by the Chinese Foreign Ministry on Tuesday. The Chinese side urged the US to genuinely respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, stressing that the US should immediately stop supporting and condoning "Taiwan independence" forces and fulfill its commitment to not supporting "Taiwan independence.”

The second round of consultations was held via video chaired by Hong Liang, director-general of the ministry’s Department of Boundary and Ocean Affairs and Mark Lambert, US State Department China Coordinator and Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of East Asia and Pacific Affairs.

The two sides exchanged views on the maritime situation and related issues, agreeing to maintain dialogue and communication, avoid misunderstandings and misjudgments, and manage maritime risks. 

China expressed serious concern over US infringement and provocative actions in waters surrounding China, urging the US to genuinely respect China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights, to refrain from interfering in maritime disputes between China and its neighbors, to avoid forming alliances to contain China by sea, and to not undermine regional peace and stability, according to the second round of China-US maritime affairs consultations.

China also emphasized that the one-China principle is the political foundation of China-US relations and an important basis for maritime dialogue. 

"Taiwan independence" is the biggest threat to peace and stability across the Taiwan Straits, according to the readout. 

The US should immediately stop supporting and condoning "Taiwan independence" forces and fulfill its commitment to not supporting "Taiwan independence.”

The first round of consultations on maritime affairs between China and the US was held in Beijing on November 3, 2023. 

The second round of maritime consultations was held against the backdrop of the US’ increasing encouragement for the Philippines to provoke China on the South China Sea issue. Meanwhile, it has been continuing sending wrong signals to the “Taiwan independence” secessionists, which is the biggest threat to the stability of the Taiwan Straits. 

Global Times