Pentagon official hails ‘stronger’ military ties in rare speech at PLA anniversary event
Speaking at the Chinese embassy, US deputy assistant defence secretary Alvaro Smith says ‘clear, steady progress’ is being made
“Under the leadership of Secretary [Pete] Hegseth, we are actively repairing a once broken military-to-military channel and making clear, steady progress,” said Alvaro Smith, deputy assistant defence secretary for China, Taiwan and Mongolia.
While it is not unusual for US officials – civilian or uniformed – to attend the Chinese embassy’s Army Day reception, it is not typical for a Defence Department policymaker to deliver a speech at the event.
It comes as preparations are under way for a US visit by Chinese President Xi Jinping in September. Last week, China’s foreign vice-minister, Ma Zhaoxu, travelled to Washington to lay the groundwork for that trip, while Federal Bureau of Investigation Director Kash Patel went to Beijing.
During Tuesday’s reception, Smith also said Washington was not seeking “conflict with China” and hoped to maintain a “peaceful” and “respectful” bilateral relationship.