China and Russia aim for the US at the Chinese military forum.

At a security conference in Beijing on Monday, the military leaders of China and Russia criticized the United States, even though China’s second-highest-ranking military officer pledged to strengthen defense relations with Washington.

With tensions rising over several problems and the possibility of an unintentional conflict in the South China Sea or close to Taiwan, Washington has been concerned about the absence of frequent interactions between the U.S. and Chinese military.

The Xiangshan Forum, the most prominent annual display of military diplomacy in China and typically hosted by the defense minister, began on Sunday with the presence of a U.S. delegation.

Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Minister of Defense, forewarned the West that their engagement in the conflict in Ukraine posed a severe risk.

At the symposium, Shoigu stated, “The Western line of steady escalation of the conflict with Russia carries the threat of a direct military clash between nuclear powers, which is fraught with catastrophic consequences,” according to a TASS official news agency report from Russia.

Russian state media said that Shoigu characterized relations between Russia and China as “exemplary.” They said that the West aimed to cause Russia to suffer “strategic defeat” in what he called a “hybrid war.”

Vice chairman of China’s Central Military Commission, Zhang Youxia, who reports to President Xi Jinping, made veiled criticism of the U.S. and its allies, accusing “some countries” of attempting to overthrow China’s leadership.

However, Zhang also emphasized how important it is to strengthen military relations with the U.S.

In a speech that diplomats and military attachés keenly observed, Zhang declared, “We will deepen strategic cooperation and coordination with Russia and are willing to, on the basis of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation, develop military ties with the U.S.”

On the fringes of the meeting, Zhang and Shoigu had discussions, according to Xinhua, the official Chinese media.

Li Shangfu, China’s defense minister, has consistently delivered the forum’s keynote speech despite being abruptly and unjustly fired last week.

Li has been absent for two months, and last month, Reuters reported that he was the subject of a corruption investigation.

Since Washington approved Li’s appointment in March, there have been no high-level military-to-military interactions between China and the United States.

“YET LISTENING HERE”

Cynthia Xanthi Carras, the Undersecretary of Defense’s China Country Director, has led a delegation from the U.S. Department of Defense.

At the event, Carras and Wu Qian, the spokeswoman for the defense ministry, had a brief conversation, according to a social media account connected to the state broadcaster CCTV.

Former U.S. assistant secretary of defense for China, Chad Spragia, emphasized the significance of U.S. involvement.

“The United States must remain here and not give up this territory to anybody. We’re here, and we’re listening,” Sbragia said, adding that he was there as a researcher.

The U.S. delegation’s attendance coincides with increased communication between the two countries before the anticipated summit between U.S. President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi next month.

The White House characterized last week’s meeting between China’s top diplomat, Wang Yi, and Biden as a “good opportunity” to maintain open channels of communication. The two leaders spoke for an hour.

Zhang and a few Chinese military commanders made accommodative statements on strengthening China-US military ties. Still, they showed no indication of softening Beijing’s position on matters like Taiwan, which Beijing considers its territory.

Speaking at a panel on Sunday, Chinese Lieutenant-General He Lei said that “it will be a war for reunification, a just and legitimate war” if China has to use force against Taiwan.

Zhang stated in his address that Taiwan was “a core interest” for China and that nations “should not deliberately provoke other countries on major and sensitive issues.”

Many Western nations merely send low-level delegates or have entirely avoided the meeting.