The United States and China held the 6th Strategic Security Dialogue (SSD) on June 5, 2016, which included candid, constructive discussions between the two sides on strategic security issues – including maritime issues and the DPRK.
The dialogue was co-chaired by Deputy Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken for the United States and Executive Vice Foreign Minister Zhang Yesui for China, who were joined by Assistant Secretary of Defense for Asian and Pacific Security Affairs David Shear, Assistant Chief of Staff for the Joint Staff Department of the Central Military Commission, Lieutenant General Ma Yiming, and other senior defense and civilian officials from the two countries.
The two sides noted the dialogue was beneficial to enhancing mutual understanding and indicated they were looking forward to additional in-depth, sustained, and open communication during the interim round of the Strategic Security Dialogue before the end of 2016.