China's military leadership has not returned multiple calls from its US counterparts this week as tensions escalate over House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, Politico reported..
China ignores U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chief of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley as they continue to fire missiles, deploy warships and aircraft during military exercises near Taiwan. Officials and experts believe that China's silence is a short-sighted and rash move that increases the risk of escalation in a tense situation..
US military leaders are keen to maintain open lines of communication, even with potential adversaries like China, to prevent miscalculations that could escalate into full-blown conflict..
But Millie's last conversation with his Chinese counterpart, Chief of the Joint Staff General Li Zuochen, took place on July 7, the Pentagon said.. During a secure video conference, they discussed the need to maintain open lines of communication as well as reduce risk, according to a report from Millie's office.. And Austin personally met with Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Feng in June in Singapore..
“The Minister has repeatedly stressed the importance of open communication with China’s defense leaders so that we can avoid any miscalculations,” the Pentagon said..
Earlier, China announced that it was ending some official dialogues between top-level US military commanders, including regional commanders, as well as negotiations on maritime security.. The announcement does not specifically refer to Austin and Millie, and US officials have said they are still open to communication with the PRC..
White House Press Secretary John Kirby noted that China's announcement "
"
A Pentagon spokesman condemned Beijing's move as "
"
[see_also ids\u003d"
Earlier, the Chinese Foreign Ministry explained the military exercises against the background of the visit of the Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan. China says its military exercises around the Taiwan Strait were "
Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, which should point out winners and losers in the urgency of events, left those seats vacant. Why? Read the article by Natalia Butyrskaya "