China, U.S. Military to Discuss Ways to Avoid Accidental Clashes

(Bloomberg) -- China and the U.S. should discuss ways to avoid accidental conflict, Defense Minister Wei Fenghe told his U.S. counterpart, Defense Secretary James Mattis, at a meeting in Washington Friday, after an incident between the two countries’ navies last month.

The Chinese and U.S. military forces should “properly manage risks, discuss ways to avoid accidental conflicts and let military relations serve as a stabilizer for links between the two countries,’’ Wei was quoted as saying in a statement posted on the China defense ministry’s website on Saturday.

The meeting came amid plans for the U.S. Pacific Fleet to stage a global show of force this month involving American warships, combat aircraft and troops, according to reports by CNN.

Early last month, Chinese and U.S. warships had a close encounter in the disputed South China Sea, fueling tensions between the world’s two largest economies already embroiled in a prolonged trade war.

To contact Bloomberg News staff for this story: Dong Lyu in Beijing at dlyu3@bloomberg.net

To contact the editor responsible for this story: Stanley James at sjames8@bloomberg.net

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