The United States and China have revived maritime security talks in Hawaii, seeking to keep an intensifying rivalry from triggering an accident in some of the world’s busiest waters. China’s navy said working-level delegations met from Nov. 18–20 under the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA), describing the exchanges as “frank and constructive” and focused on sea and air safety as the two militaries slowly restore direct communication.
MMCA: SAFETY NET BETWEEN RIVAL NAVIES
The MMCA, signed in 1998, is the first formal military accord between Washington and Beijing and was created to reduce the risk of collisions and miscalculations at sea. It provides a standing forum where officers review incidents and discuss operating norms when ships and aircraft meet at close range, giving both sides a structured way to manage dangerous encounters. The Hawaii round focused on the current security situation, “typical cases” of encounters, and technical procedures for radio calls, signalling, and safe separation.
U.S. officials have warned about a pattern of unsafe intercepts, including a 2022 incident in which a PLA Navy J-11 fighter flew within roughly 20 feet of a U.S. RC-135 over the South China Sea, forcing evasive manoeuvres by the American crew. China used the meeting to repeat its opposition to U.S. freedom-of-navigation patrols and reconnaissance flights in the South China Sea and Taiwan Strait, which it claims as its own despite an international tribunal ruling against its expansive claims.
WHY THESE TALKS MATTER FOR GLOBAL TRADE
The Hawaii session is about more than military etiquette. The South China Sea carries roughly one-third of global maritime trade by volume and links East Asia with the Middle East, Europe, and the Americas. The U.S. Energy Information Administration identifies the sea and the Strait of Malacca as critical oil and gas chokepoints, with large flows of crude and liquefied natural gas feeding China, Japan, and South Korea.
For container lines, tanker operators, and port authorities, a single misjudged encounter between U.S. and Chinese forces near these routes could close a channel, trigger higher war-risk premiums, or force costly re-routing. By agreeing on detailed encounter rules, the MMCA working group is trying to cut the probability that routine shadowing, surveillance flights, or close passes result in a collision that ripples through global supply chains. Even incremental improvements in predictability can translate into lower operational risk and more stable insurance costs for shipowners and cargo interests exposed to Indo-Pacific routes.
EFFECT ON US–CHINA RELATIONS AND THE MARITIME SECTOR
The Hawaii talks are part of a cautious effort by both capitals to reopen military-to-military communication after years of near-silence. Neither side is backing away from core activities the other views as provocative, but both have accepted the need for guardrails that keep tactical incidents from poisoning the broader relationship. For the maritime industry, the impact is quiet but real. The Hawaii round does not end the risk of confrontation, yet it signals that Washington and Beijing still recognize their shared interest in keeping key sea lanes open.
If the procedures discussed in this MMCA session are implemented by front-line crews, encounters between U.S. and Chinese forces should become more predictable and professional, reducing the odds that an avoidable incident in contested waters disrupts container schedules, tanker flows or port operations. China’s navy said the working group will reconvene in 2026, keeping the rules for managing great-power rivalry at sea under constant review.
As Editor in Chief of The Maritime, I lead content development, interviews, and digital storytelling across our multimedia maritime platform. With over 10 years of experience in the maritime industry, I create and publish in-depth stories and video features that highlight key players, emerging trends, and operational realities across global shipping. Before launching The Maritime, I worked as a Vessel Operator at Imza Marine A.S., gaining hands-on commercial shipping and voyage operations experience. I also served as Marketing Communications Specialist at Gimas Ship Supply & Services, where I managed corporate communication, digital strategy, and industry outreach for shipowners and maritime clients. I hold a Master’s degree in Maritime Transportation Management from Istanbul Technical University and a Master’s degree in Publishing from Marmara University. My work is driven by the belief that the maritime world deserves strong, informed, and accessible media representation. I am committed to sharing the stories of maritime professionals and contributing to the sector’s visibility, knowledge exchange, and future development.
