In response to US House Speaker Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, China continues to lob missiles and position warships and aircraft around the island. Meanwhile, press reports indicate the Chinese military is unwilling to maintain open lines of communication with US military officials.
Former Pentagon official Randy Schriver explained shutting down communications is par for the course for China, “Historically this is definitely part of the playbook. Mil-mil [communications] historically is on the chopping block when we have problems with China.”
US military leaders strive to keep lines of communication open, even with potential adversaries like China, to avoid accidents and other miscalculations. “If the [Chinese military] is operating more aggressively, and in closer proximity to US forces with greater frequency, we’d need these mechanisms even more to promote a safe operating environment,” said the former top Pentagon official, Randy Schriver, having advised the Trump administration on Asia policy.
China announced on Friday that it would suspend some official talks between senior US military commanders. While the announcement doesn’t specifically apply to Austin and Milley’s counterparts, officials have said they are still open to communication between those leaders.
White House spokesperson John Kirby condemned China’s decision to cut communications as irresponsible: “We find the shutting down of military communications channels at whatever level and whatever scope and at a time of crisis to be an irresponsible Act.”
Kirby explained that China’s announcement “does not completely eliminate the opportunities for senior members of our military to talk. These lines of communications are actually important for helping you reduce the risk of miscalculation and misperception. You have this much military hardware operating in confined areas, it’s good, especially now, to have those lines of communication open.”
According to the Pentagon, July 7th was General Milley’s last call with his Chinese counterpart, Chief of the Joint Staff General Li Zuocheng. The need to maintain open lines of communication emerged as a key discussion point, according to a readout from Milley’s office. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, last met with Chinese Defense Minister General Wei Fenghe, during the June Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
Todd Breasseale, the Pentagon’s acting press secretary reported, “The secretary has repeatedly emphasized the importance of fully open lines of communication with China’s defense leaders to ensure that we can avoid any miscalculations, and that remains true.”
While the US does not officially recognize Taiwan’s independence, it sells weapons to the island and wants to avoid a repeat of the April 1, 2001, incident. Back then, a lack of safety and miscalculations lead to a US Navy EP-3 signals intelligence aircraft and a Chinese J-8 fighter colliding in mid-air, triggering an international dispute and raising tensions in the region.
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