Tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated over the previous few years.
Teh Eng Koon | AFP | Getty Images
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin rebuked China on Saturday for refusing to carry military talks, leaving the superpowers deadlocked over Taiwan and territorial disputes within the South China Sea.
Speaking on the Shangri-La Dialogue, Asia’s top security summit, Austin said Beijing’s refusal to carry talks on the meeting undermined efforts to keep up peace in a region where the 2 rivals are increasing their military firepower.
“I’m deeply concerned that the PRC (People’s Republic of China) has been unwilling to interact more seriously on higher mechanisms for crisis management between our two militaries,” Austin told the meeting in Singapore.
“The more that we talk, the more that we are able to avoid the misunderstandings and miscalculations that may lead to crisis or conflict.”
A senior Chinese military official struck back, saying the USA was answerable for a breakdown in dialogue by ramping up sanctions on Chinese officials and destabilizing the Asia-Pacific with its military presence.
“China-U.S. military relations are faced with difficulties and the responsibility lies entirely on the U.S. side,” Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng told reporters on the summit.
“China attaches importance to developing China-U.S. military relations, and our interactions and communication have never been suspended.”
American and Canadian warships sailed through the Taiwan Strait as Austin spoke on Saturday, the Wall Street Journal reported, a show of military might that has incensed China up to now and is prone to push the 2 sides further apart.
There had been slim hopes that the annual Shangri-La Dialogue can be a chance to fix the connection between the U.S. and China, which is at its lowest point in many years.
Washington and Beijing are at loggerheads over every thing from the long run of democratically ruled Taiwan, territorial claims within the South China Sea and President Joe Biden’s restrictions on semiconductor chip exports.
China’s Minister of National Defence Li Shangfu had this week declined an invite to fulfill Austin at the safety summit. Li, a general who has been sanctioned by the U.S., delivers his own speech on Sunday.
On Friday, the 2 shook hands on the sidelines of the conference but didn’t hold detailed talks, the Pentagon said.
“A cordial handshake over dinner is not any substitute for a substantive engagement,” Austin said.
Dialogue between the 2 countries has stalled since U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled a visit to China in February after a suspected Chinese spy balloon was tracked flying across the USA.
Certainly one of the thorniest security issues between the 2 superpowers is over the long run of Taiwan, which Beijing desires to bring under its rule.
There are increasing concerns that China could invade Taiwan with the U.S. drawn into any conflict.
Austin pointed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine for example of “how dangerous our world would grow to be if big countries could just invade their peaceful neighbors with impunity.”
He said the U.S. was “deeply committed” to preserving the establishment in Taiwan and opposes unilateral changes from either side.
“Conflict is neither imminent nor inevitable. Deterrence is robust today and it’s our job to maintain it that way,” Austin said.
General Jing said Austin’s comments were misleading, accusing Washington stoking tensions by forging direct diplomatic relationships with Taiwan and increasing arms sales to the territory.
“The U.S. uses Taiwan to contain China and the Taiwan separatist forces solicit U.S. support to push for independence,” Jing told reporters.
