The Chinese Navy recently hosted a biennial meeting of top foreign naval officials in Qingdao, with representatives from 30 countries in attendance. The meeting comes at a time of increased tensions in the South China Sea and ongoing conflicts between China and the United States.
The Bottom Line Upfront
This meeting is being closely watched for signs of additional engagement or escalation between China and the U.S., particularly in the context of the South China Sea disputes.
The Breakdown
aThe meeting is part of the Western Pacific Naval Symposium, where participants will engage in closed-door conversations and seminars on dealing with maritime security challenges.
Discussions will also focus on the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea, a set of guidelines meant to de-escalate tensions between military forces at sea.
The meeting coincides with large-scale joint military drills between the U.S. and the Philippines, which have raised tensions in the region.
The U.S. is being represented by Adm. Stephen Koehler, the Commander of the Pacific Fleet, indicating the importance of this meeting in the context of U.S.-China relations.
China's hosting of this meeting for the first time since 2014 is seen as a sign of its desire to increase its naval presence and influence in the region.
