SINGAPORE: US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin emphasized on Saturday the importance of reopening dialogue with China to prevent misunderstandings that could potentially lead to a conflict between the two global powers.
Although the United States extended an invitation for Austin’s Chinese counterpart, Li Shangfu, to meet on the sidelines of a defense summit in Singapore, the offer was declined by Beijing.
Austin, speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, stated, “The United States believes that open lines of communication with the People’s Republic of China are essential — especially between our defense and military leaders. The more that we talk, the more that we can avoid the misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict.”
During his Asia tour, which included visits to Japan and will soon feature a trip to India, Austin has been focused on strengthening regional alliances and partnerships to counter an increasingly assertive China and a more bellicose North Korea.
Expressing concern over China’s reluctance to engage in more serious discussions on crisis management mechanisms between their militaries, Austin expressed hope for a change in this stance. Li, scheduled to address the meeting on Sunday, had been sanctioned by the US government in 2018 for purchasing Russian weapons. However, the Pentagon maintains that this does not prevent Austin from conducting official business with him.
China Criticizes US Stance
In response to Austin’s remarks, members of the Chinese delegation swiftly criticized the US stance. Senior Colonel Tang Hefei, spokesperson for China’s defense ministry, accused the Pentagon chief of making false accusations, while Senior Colonel Zhao Xiaozhuo asserted that China’s military actions were solely aimed at maintaining its core security interests and that Washington had no right to dictate its course of action.
Tensions between the United States (US) and China have escalated this year due to various issues, including Taiwan and an alleged Chinese spy balloon that was shot down by a US fighter jet after crossing the country. While high-level military-to-military ties between the two nations have been severed for months, other top US officials have maintained communication with Beijing, including CIA Director William Burns and US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan.
Austin also criticized Beijing for engaging in “an alarming number of risky intercepts of US and allied aircraft flying lawfully in international airspace,” citing a recent incident in which a Chinese fighter pilot executed an unnecessarily aggressive maneuver near a US surveillance aircraft over the South China Sea.
