Lieutenant General He Lei (left), former vice president of the Academy of Military Sciences of the PLA, talks with Michael Chase, US deputy assistant secretary of defense, on September 13, 2024, on the sidelines of the Beijing Xiangshan Forum. Photo: Wang Qi/GT

Lieutenant General He Lei, former vice president of the Academy of Military Sciences of the People's Liberation Army (PLA), had a casual talk with Michael Chase, US deputy assistant secretary of defense, on Friday, as the recent momentum of China-US military engagement continues.  

The two sides met at a cafe in the Beijing International Convention Center that is hosting the ongoing 11th Beijing Xiangsha Forum, the annual military diplomacy conference with unprecedented participation this year from over 100 countries and organizations. 

Chase, who is leading a delegation of US Department of Defense at the Beijing Xiangshan Forum, shook hands with He, while He presented souvenirs to Chase and the US delegation. 

According to the reporter's observation at the scene, the conversation between the two sides was relaxed and pleasant. 

He also showed a photo between himself and Cynthia Xanthi Carras, China country director in the Office of the Undersecretary of Defense, and asked Chase to pass the photo to Carras. Carras attended the 10th Beijing Xiangshan Forum in 2023 and talked with He.

"[I] hope you can have some gains in this event and take them back to the US," He told Chase. 

In an interview with the Global Times after meeting with Chase, He said the meeting was a chance encounter, but turned out to be a nice talk.

"During the coffee break of the conference, I happened to meet Chase in the cafe. I began by welcoming him to China," He said. 

"The visit of Chase himself and the Pentagon delegation he is leading is a positive move to help implement the consensus reached between the two heads of state in San Francisco,'' He said. "It is beneficial to enhancing strategic communication between the senior military officials from the two sides, and to avoid miscalculation and manage risks." 

According to He, Chase has expressed his interest in China's defense policy. 

In response, He said he has shown Chase a badge of the Academy of Military Sciences of the PLA, in which there are images of the Great Wall and an olive branch.

"The Great Wall represents defense, implying that China pursues a national defense policy that is defensive in nature and will not invade any country," He said. "The olive branch represents peace, which he knows well."

The PLA is a heroic force of resolutely defending national interests, and also a force of justice in safeguarding regional and world peace, He said. 

He expressed hopes that Chinese and US militaries could have more engagement during the forum, so that the US side could have a better understanding of China's defense policy. 

Chase said he plans to visit the Academy of Military Sciences of the PLA in the coming days, to which He replied that it was "a good thing." He also presented souvenirs of the PLA institute to Chase and other delegation members on site. 

He also mentioned that obstacles and problems between the two militaries and two countries cannot be easily solved through one or two talks. H owever, through communication, the two sides can further meet each other halfway and enhance mutual understanding.

"I expressed hope that the US delegation could make more contributions to the relationship between the two militaries and two countries," He said. "I also hope that the US can make more contributions in terms of maintaining regional and world peace and stability."