WASHINGTON -- Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson held a video teleconference (VTC) with Vice Adm. Shen Jinlong, People's Liberation Army (Navy) Commander, Dec. 18.

The two leaders exchanged views on Navy-to-Navy and bilateral military relations and expressed the importance of high-level communication. Speaking from the Pentagon, Richardson emphasized the United States Navy's commitment to maintaining a free and open Indo-Pacific region, specifically addressing risk reduction and operational safety measures to prevent unwanted and unnecessary escalation.

Both leaders agreed that constructive, mil-to-mil relations can serve as a stabilizing factor for the U.S.-China relationship.

This was the third time Richardson and Shen have engaged over VTC. Shen also attended the International Seapower Symposium, hosted by Richardson in September 2018.