STOCKHOLM: The United States (US) Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, has called on Beijing to prioritize open lines of communication in the wake of a recent fighter jet incident, for which he held a Chinese pilot responsible.
The incident occurred last week when a Chinese fighter pilot displayed aggressive behavior near a US surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea, with China accusing the US of provocation.
The US military has stated that their aircraft were operating within international airspace on a routine mission. Blinken highlighted that similar actions have been observed targeting not only the US but also other countries in recent months.
US Concern Over Lack of Communication with China
During a visit to Sweden, Blinken emphasized the critical importance of regular and transparent communication channels, including between defense ministers, to prevent misunderstandings and miscommunication.
Blinken expressed concerns about the potential dangers of a lack of communication, emphasizing that while the US and China have genuine competition, it is vital to prevent it from escalating into conflict. Establishing and maintaining regular lines of communication is viewed as the fundamental starting point for achieving this goal.
It is worth noting that Blinken had previously canceled a planned trip to Beijing in February after the US reported the sighting of a Chinese surveillance balloon over the US mainland.
