May 16, 2023

Chinese and Japanese defense chiefs on Tuesday talked through the newly established maritime and air liaison mechanism direct phone line for the first time.

Analysts said that the move will help maintain regional stability and avoid crisis at a time when Japan has recently made provocative remarks over the Taiwan question and a powerful flotilla of the Chinese People's Liberation Army (PLA) Navy was spotted sailing around Japan.

Chinese State Councilor and Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu and Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada on Tuesday afternoon talked through the direct telephone line dedicated to the maritime and air liaison mechanism between the Chinese and Japanese defense ministries for the first time, the Chinese Defense Ministry said in a press release on the day.

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