A high Defense Department official stated Beijing continues to rebuff makes an attempt to determine communications with senior leaders within the Pentagon whilst China advances its navy growth plans whereas the U.S. ramps up deadly help to Taiwan.
Assistant Secretary of Defense Mara Karlin advised reporters at a Defense Writers Group discussion board Tuesday that “escalation management” between international locations working within the Indo-Pacific area is essential.
“We have been trying really hard to set up communication channels [with China] and they have not been enthusiastic,” she stated.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has despatched Chinese navy officers a number of requests for open communications with the Pentagon.
“It’s really important that the most senior folks can talk to each other as quickly as possible when something happens. So, Secretary Austin keeps asking for that,” Ms. Karlin stated. “The [People’s Republic of China] has not been enthusiastic about that, and I think that’s really problematic.”
China briefly opened communications with Washington final week when it lodged a protest over the Biden administration’s announcement of a $345 million safety package deal for Taiwan, which Beijing claims as a part of its sovereign territory. It’s the primary time navy help has come by presidential drawdown authority, which implies weapons and gear might be drawn straight from U.S. navy storerooms.
“The U.S.’ act of providing military aid to China’s Taiwan region grossly interferes in China’s internal affairs, seriously undermines China’s sovereignty and security interests, and gravely threatens peace and stability across the Taiwan Strait,” Col. Tan Kefei, spokesman for China’s Ministry of National Defense, stated Tuesday throughout a press convention.
“We urge the U.S. side to stop all forms of military collusion with Taiwan and avoid going further down the wrong and dangerous path,” he stated.
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