US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he was deeply concerned about China’s reluctance to engage in military crisis management, warning that dialogue was the key to avoiding conflict.
Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore on Saturday, Asia’s top security summit, Austin said open lines of communication between US and Chinese defense and military leaders are essential to avoid conflict and strengthen on the stability of the Asia-Pacific region.
“I am very worried that the PRC [People’s Republic of China] unwilling to engage more seriously on better mechanisms for crisis management between our two militaries,” Austin told the meeting in Singapore.
“The more we talk, the more we can avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict,” he said.
Austin made specific reference to Chinese planes making “dangerous intercepts of US and allied aircraft flying legally in international airspace”.
“We will not be deterred by dangerous operational behavior at sea or in international airspace,” he wrote in a series of tweets summarizing his speech at the summit.
“Open lines of communication in the People’s Republic of China are essential – especially between our defense and military leaders,” he said in another tweet.
“For responsible defense leaders, the right time to talk is anytime, the right time to talk is every hour, and the right time to talk is now,” he said.
“Dialogue is not a reward. It is a necessity.”
Dialogue is not a reward. This is a necessity.
And the more we talk, the better we can avoid misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict. pic.twitter.com/yHvkeVrLi4
— Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin III (@SecDef) June 3, 2023
Relations between Beijing and Washington are at their lowest point in decades with China and the US deeply divided over everything from sovereignty over Taiwan to maritime disputes in the South China Sea.
Austin pointed to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an example of “how dangerous our world is when big countries can just invade their peaceful neighbors with impunity”.
He said the US is “deeply committed” to preserving the status quo in Taiwan and opposes unilateral changes from either side.
“Conflict is neither imminent nor inevitable. Control is strong now and it’s our job to keep it that way,” Austin said.
“To be clear, we are not looking for conflict or confrontation,” he said. “But we will not stop in the face of bullying or coercion.”
US military officials have previously said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on his armed forces to develop capabilities for a possible invasion of Taiwan in 2027.
“It doesn’t mean he’s made a decision to do that,” Austin said in response to a question about Xi’s plans for Taiwan.
China’s Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu this week declined an invitation to meet with Austin at the summit. The two shook hands on the sidelines of the conference but did not hold detailed talks, the Pentagon said.
“A warm handshake at dinner is no substitute for a meaningful engagement,” says Austin. “The United States is not looking for a new Cold War. Competition should not be broken by conflict,” he said.
‘Is there sincerity?’
Al Jazeera’s Florence Looi, reporting from Singapore, said the broad theme of Austin’s speech was to keep the Asia-Pacific region “open – open to trade, open to freedom of movement”.
“He also warned that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait, if it happens, will have a devastating effect on the rest of the world,” Looi said.
Austin also said that the US will continue to strengthen partnerships and alliances in the region by conducting more military exercises and ensuring that partners have the ability to prevent aggression, Looi said.
“What did China do with his speech?”
“We know that China sees most of the actions of the US here as attempts to limit its influence and encircle it, and this summit is taking place as US-China relations are deteriorating,” he said. Looi.
Liu Pengyu, a spokesman for the Chinese embassy in Washington, said on Friday in an emailed statement that communication between China and the US will contribute to a greater mutual understanding.
“However, today the US says it wants to talk with China while seeking to deter China in all possible ways and continue to impose sanctions on Chinese officials, institutions and companies,” the statement said. .
“Is there sincerity and importance in any communication like this?”
Another recent flashpoint is high-end microchips, with Beijing saying last month that US semiconductor giant Micron had failed a national security review and would not be allowed to sell to operators of “critical information infrastructure”.
The announcement comes after Washington and its allies have taken steps in recent months, which China claims are designed to restrict its ability to buy or manufacture cutting-edge chips and prevent rising global power.
Beijing also criticized a deal announced by Australia in March to buy US nuclear-powered submarines.
Australia is set to spend 368 billion Australian dollars ($250bn) over three decades on the submarine programme, part of a wider security pact between the US and the United Kingdom known as AUKUS.
“[AUKUS] promotes greater stability and security,” Austin said.
Beijing sees AUKUS as another attempt by the West to undermine China as a rising world power.