Chief of Naval Operations (CNO) Adm. John Richardson held a video teleconference (VTC), July 20 with Vice Adm. Shen Jinlong, People's Liberation Army (Navy) Commander.

The leaders discussed bilateral naval engagements as well as recent missile tests by North Korea. During the hour long call, Richardson stressed the importance of regional maritime security and the need for China and the US to work together to address the provocative and unacceptable military behavior by North Korea.

This was the first time Richardson and Shen engaged over VTC. The two admirals met previously at the International Seapower Symposium, hosted by Richardson in 2016. Shen attended the Newport, RI conference as the Chinese Navy representative in his position as South Sea Fleet Commander.

This is Richardson's fourth VTC with a Chinese Navy counterpart, three previous calls were held with Shen's predecessor, Admiral Wu Shengli.

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