The People’s Liberation Army (PLA) declined to participate in the virtual Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA) Work Group and Flag Officer Plenary session with U.S. Indo-Pacific Command scheduled for December 14-16, 2020. Admiral Phil Davidson, Commander for the U.S. Indo-Pacific Command, said: “The PRC’s refusal to show up to MMCA is another example that China does not honour its agreements, and this should serve as a reminder to all nations as they pursue agreements with China going forward.”

(Comment: The United States and People’s Republic of China (PRC) have met regularly since 1998 to conduct the MMCA dialogue as a consultation mechanism to strengthen military maritime safety, to improve operational safety in the air and sea, and reduce risk between our two militaries. The Department of Defense (DoD) and the PLA agreed to hold the 2020 MMCA meeting virtually due to the on-going COVID-19 pandemic. This exchange is an agreed-upon event in the U.S.-PRC 2020 defense engagement plan.