Senior Chinese military officials have not returned multiple calls from their American counterparts this week, according to three people with knowledge of the activities.
This occurs as tensions over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s travel to Taiwan have risen in the Pacific.
China continues to conduct unusual military drills outside Taiwan with vessels and aircraft, fire rockets, and spoof Joint Chiefs Chair Gen. Mark Milley and Defence Minister Lloyd Austin.
Taipei in the time of the Fourth Taiwan Strait Crisis pic.twitter.com/bf00abpcjp
— Chason Dailey (@ChasonDailey) August 6, 2022
Officials and observers view China’s silence as a stupid and naive choice that increases the likelihood of an escalation in a delicate situation.
In order to prevent mistakes and other blunders that may grow into a full-fledged fight, US military leaders strive to keep lines of communication open—even with potential adversaries like China.
I led a Congressional delegation to Taiwan to make crystal clear that America stands with the people of Taiwan – and all those committed to Democracy and human rights.
— Nancy Pelosi (@SpeakerPelosi) August 3, 2022
Check out this video of our historic visit to Taipei. pic.twitter.com/TON6zB3x4s
Milley’s final call with his Chinese counterpart, Gen. Li Zuocheng, Chief of the Joint Staff, was, according to the Pentagon, on July 7.
The two spoke via a secure video conference on the need of maintaining open lines of communication as well as reducing risk, according to a transcript from Milley’s office.
Gen. Wei Fenghe, the head of the Chinese Army, and Austin had a face-to-face meeting in June on the margins of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
The Pentagon’s interim communications director, Todd Breasseale, told Politico in an interview that the need for completely open channels of communication with China’s defense leadership is still valid.
The formal negotiations on the protection of life at sea, as well as those involving senior U.S. military officials, including regional commanding commanders, were halted, China announced on Friday.
Because the announcement did not specifically mention Austin and Milley’s opponents, officials said they are still open to conversation with them.
According to the discovery, senior members of our army still have a chance to speak, but it increases the risk of an accident, White House spokesman John Kirby said.
Because the announcement did not specifically mention Austin and Milley’s opponents, officials said they are still open to conversation with them.
According to the discovery, senior members of our army still have a chance to speak, but it increases the risk of an accident, White House spokesman John Kirby said.
