US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin has expressed his concern about China’s unwillingness to engage in military crisis management, emphasizing that talks are crucial to avoid conflict. Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore, Austin stressed that open communication lines between US and Chinese defense and military leaders were essential to prevent misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict. Austin also mentioned China’s risky intercepts of US and allied aircraft flying lawfully in international airspace, stating that dangerous operational behavior at sea or in international airspace would not deter the US. He further added that dialogue is not a reward but a necessity.
Austin pointed out that relations between Beijing and Washington are at their lowest point in decades, with both countries deeply divided over various issues, including the sovereignty of Taiwan and maritime disputes in the South China Sea. He also cited Russia’s invasion of Ukraine as an example of how dangerous the world would become if big countries could invade their peaceful neighbors with impunity. Austin emphasized that the US was committed to preserving the status quo in Taiwan and opposed unilateral changes from either side.
US military officials have previously said that Chinese President Xi Jinping has called on his armed forces to develop the capabilities for a possible invasion of Taiwan by 2027. However, Austin clarified that it did not mean that Xi had made a decision to do so. China’s Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu declined an invitation to meet Austin at the summit, but the two shook hands on the sidelines of the conference.
Austin warned that a conflict in the Taiwan Strait would have a devastating effect on the rest of the world and emphasized the need for keeping the Asia-Pacific region open to trade and freedom of movement. He also stated that the US would continue to strengthen partnerships and alliances in the region by holding more military drills and ensuring partners had the capability to deter aggression.
China’s embassy in Washington said that communication between China and the US was conducive to greater mutual understanding, but it questioned the sincerity of the US’s attempts to speak to China while seeking to suppress its influence through all possible means and continuing to impose sanctions on Chinese officials, institutions, and companies.
Beijing has also criticized a deal announced by Australia in March to buy US nuclear-powered submarines, which it sees as another attempt by the West to hem in China as a growing global power.