Earlier this week in Hawaii (November 18–20), the Chinese mainland and U.S. militaries came together for the second working group meeting and the annual meeting under the 2025 Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA). 🌊
These sessions are all about keeping sailors safe, avoiding misunderstandings at sea, and building trust across one of the world’s busiest waterways. Here are the highlights:
- 🤝 Dialogue & Communication: Participants reviewed protocols for ship-to-ship encounters, ensuring clear radio communications and safe passing procedures.
- 🚨 Search and Rescue Drills: Teams discussed joint training exercises, aiming to respond faster to emergencies like collisions or distress calls.
- 📡 Risk Reduction Measures: Representatives shared best practices on avoiding accidents, from navigation rules to real-time information sharing.
Why it matters: With increasing naval activity in the Pacific, these talks help prevent incidents that could spark tensions. By focusing on safety steps and clear rules, both sides aim to keep the ocean open and secure for trade, travel, and research.
Next steps: Delegates agreed to follow up on action items before the next annual meeting, scheduled for later in 2026. In the meantime, observers will track how these safety measures play out in real operations.
Stay tuned for more updates as Asia-Pacific maritime cooperation continues to evolve! 🚢🌴
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
