Relations between the two countries leave much to be desired, as China refuses to meet with the US and Chinese defense ministers. According to Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, the most dangerous thing in such situations is misunderstanding.
After the incident with a Chinese warplane in the South China Sea, the US military is concerned about the radio silence between the parties. In this context, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken stated that “regular, open lines of communication” are needed between Washington and Beijing, including the defense ministers of the two countries. This was reported by War is Boring critics on June 1.
John Kirby, strategic communications coordinator on the US National Security Council, also took the same position. He acknowledged that the lines of communication are not currently open but should be opened now.
“You want to make sure you can talk when there’s tension like this. That’s why I want the lines of communication to stay open,” he said.
Blinken added that the most dangerous thing in such situations is misunderstanding. According to the American diplomat, the latest event is exacerbated by the Chinese side’s rejection of Washington’s attempt to meet with the US and Chinese defense ministers.
“The most dangerous thing is not being able to communicate and having a misunderstanding as a result … It is unfortunate that the meeting that Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin wanted with his Chinese counterpart did not take place,” Blinken said.
Tensions between Washington and Beijing
Recall, it was learned that on May 29, the USA offered to hold a meeting in Singapore between its Chinese counterpart, Li Shanfu, and Defense Minister Lloyd Austin. However, Beijing rejected the US request for a meeting of defense ministers. Bloomberg observers noted that this is China’s latest White House refusal to try to re-establish ties with key officials amid growing tensions between the two states. But Beijing’s decision may be affected by the fact that Li Shangfu is currently under US sanctions.
Two days after this news, the incident occurred with an American RC-135 reconnaissance plane in the South China Sea. Footage appeared on the network, where a multi-role Chinese J-16 fighter of the People’s Liberation Army made an aggressive maneuver near an American aircraft, creating a zone of turbulence in the path of the RC-135.
In this context, Washington accused the Chinese of taking an “unreasonably aggressive” prevention maneuver, and Beijing, in turn, accused the United States of taking “provocative and dangerous acts”, saying such flights undermine China’s sovereignty.
Source: Focus
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