CNO: U.S., China agree on potentially increasing port calls

Chief of Naval Operations Adm. John Richardson says he and his Chinese counterpart discussed increasing port visits between the two navies during the CNO's visit to Beijing earlier this month.

"Without kind of divulging super details of the discussion, I think that's a general agreement between the two sides that we can increase those mutual port calls overall, to each other's benefit," Richardson told reporters July 26 at the Pentagon. The CNO visited China July 17-20, meeting with his counterpart in the People's Liberation Army Navy, Adm. Wu Shengli, in Beijing, and taking a trip up to the PLA(N) North Fleet headquarters in Qingdao as well.

Richardson said he and Wu did not discuss the recent cancellation of any port calls, instead focusing on the positive aspect of the visits. In April, China denied a request from the aircraft carrier John C. Stennis (CVN-74) to make a port visit to Hong Kong, apparently over U.S. actions in the disputed South China Sea, the Associated Press reported at the time.

"I think were was some progress made that talked about the importance of the port calls, making sure that they happen," Richardson said of his discussion with Wu. "That's all in the good pile in terms of activity that helps the relationship along."

The pair also discussed a U.N. Tribunal's recent decision to reject China's expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea. China has said it does not respect the ruling and will continue building islands in disputed waters, while some have speculated the country may set up increased security measures over the sea, such as an air identification zone.

Richardson said increased land reclamation and security measures in the disputed waters were both "explicitly discussed" during his visit with Wu.

"That was clearly identified as an area that would be very concerning to us," Richardson said. But he also said Wu did not indicate China would increase its military buildup or activities in the South China Sea.

"They didn't mention any of those types of things, in terms of, 'Hey, this is imminent,'" the CNO added. "There was no mention of that."

Richardson said he also reiterated President Obama and Defense Secretary Ash Carter in committing to continuing freedom of navigation operations and fly-overs in the South China Sea.

"I reiterated that we've got interest in the area and we've got commitments to allies and partners in the region, and oh by the way, international law permits us to be there," he said. "We're going to be there. That commitment, that level of activity in the South China Sea, I don't see that changing."

Asked how the Chinese responded, Richardson said he thinks China understands the United States will continue operating in the area, and by doing so, it will become less of an issue in the future.