CHINA-US: MILITARY TALKS
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Yue Gang, a military commentator and retired PLA colonel said that in the talks between US and Chinese military officials that began in Washington on August 26, "China will likely be hitting back at US criticism and maintain that it is legitimate for the Chinese military to take action if it believes national security is under threat." Specifically, Beijing was expected to tell Washington that foreign military planes flying within its economic zone, or within 200 nautical miles of the coast of China, would be deemed as putting national security at risk. The talks were originally agreed as an attempt to improve military ties, but observers say they could be overshadowed by mutual suspicion reflected in the close encounter on August 19 between a Chinese fighter jet and a US Navy surveillance plane in international airspace off Hainan .
Yue Gang said "The basic message is that China will take actions to protect its interests, even though Beijing is willing to continue dialogue with the US.".
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