Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting With Chinese People’s Liberation Army Chief of General Staff Fang Fenghui

Today the Vice President met with the Chinese People’s Liberation Army Chief of General Staff Fang Fenghui at the White House.  The Vice President and General Fang affirmed the importance of and the need to maintain momentum in the development of U.S.-China military-to-military relations.  The Vice President underscored the United States’ serious concern about China’s unilateral actions in waters disputed with Vietnam.  The Vice President reaffirmed that while the United States does not take a position on the competing territorial claims, no nation should take provocative steps to advance claims over disputed areas in a manner that undermines peace and stability in the region.  The Vice President and General Fang also discussed the importance of the U.S.-China relationship in the context of addressing a range of regional and global challenges.