Mark B. Lambert, the U.S. Department of State’s China Coordinator and Deputy Assistant Secretary for China and Taiwan, met virtually with Hong Liang, Director General of Border and Ocean Affairs of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), on May 23. The two sides discussed the current situation in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, as well as other maritime issues. The United States expressed concern over the PRC’s dangerous and destabilizing actions that impede other States’ exercise of freedom of high seas navigation and reaffirmed the United States’ firm alliance commitments and steadfast support for upholding the international law of the sea. The United States reaffirmed the importance of maintaining peace and stability in the Taiwan Strait and shared deep concerns about the People’s Liberation Army’s joint military exercises around the Taiwan Strait and Taiwan. The consultation, which will follow the maritime discussions held in Beijing on November 3, 2023, is part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication to responsibly manage the U.S.-PRC relationship.
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