Representatives from U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, U.S. Pacific Fleet, U.S. Pacific Air Forces, and U.S. Coast Guard traveled to Qingdao, China to meet with the People's Republic of China (PRC) People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy and Air Force for the semi-annual working group and annual plenary session of the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA), Nov. 6-8, 2024.

U.S. Marine Corps Maj. Gen. Jay Bargeron, director, Strategic Planning and Policy, USINDOPACOM, and PLA Rear Adm. Qiang Wang, Assistant to the Chief of Staff of the PLA Navy Headquarters, led their respective delegations at the plenary, which reviews the proceedings of both 2024 MMCA working groups, assesses the progress, and discusses the path forward for future meetings.

"This Military Maritime Consultative Agreement working group and plenary builds upon the MMCA working group held earlier this year in Honolulu, and continues direct discussions on air and maritime operational safety with the PLA," said Maj. Gen. Bargeron. "A common understanding of safe behavior and adherence to international laws, norms, and standards by all nations reduces the risk of accidents that might prompt an unintended escalation."

The semi-annual MMCA working groups provide a forum for the U.S. military and the air and maritime forces of the PLA to discuss operational safety and professionalism, as well as the norms and standards that facilitate the safe operation of military forces in the air and maritime domain. U.S. and PRC representatives reviewed operational interactions between their respective forces and discussed best safety practices.

"As the United States will continue to operate safely and professionally in the Indo-Pacific wherever international law allows," said Maj. Gen. Bargeron, "these meetings serve to clarify intent and reduce the risk of misperception, miscalculation, or accidents, and therefore help foster stability within the U.S.-PRC military-to-military relationship."