A US Defence Department statement issued on August 6 reported that Secretary of Defense Mark T. Esper held a telephone call with the People’s Republic of China (PRC) Minister of National Defense, General Wei Fenghe on August 6, 2020. It said Esper called for greater PRC transparency on COVID, expressed concern about PRC destabilizing activity in the vicinity of Taiwan and the South China Sea, and called on the PRC to honour international obligations under the principles of the 1984 Sino-British Joint Declaration. He communicated the importance that the PRC abide by international laws, rules, and norms, and meet its international commitments. Xinhua reported (August 7) that Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense General Wei Fenghe had expressed China's position on issues including the South China Sea issue, the Taiwan question and the stigmatization of China by the US, etc., urging the US side to stop wrong words and deeds, enhance maritime risk control and prevent dangerous actions that may further tense the situation, so as to maintain regional peace and stability.
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