The Wall St. Journal reports that “relations between the U.S. and Chinese militaries have improved “modestly” in the past year, a senior U.S. Navy official said, despite discord over territorial tensions and strategic issues in the Asian-Pacific region.”  

“The comments by Rear Admiral Mark Montgomery, who leads an aircraft-carrier battle group that operates mainly in Asian waters, came just weeks after senior U.S. and Chinese defense officials traded barbs at a regional security summit over Beijing’s perceived assertiveness over territorial claims.”  

“‘We’re doing our best to reach out and build relationships and strengthen [inter-military coordination], and increase transparency and sharing’ between the U.S. and Chinese navies, Rear Adm. Montgomery said in a recent interview aboard the aircraft carrier USS George Washington during a pass through the South China Sea.”