The reported breach in communication occurs amid massive military drills throughout Taiwan
As China continues its snap military drills around Taiwan in retaliation to US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s provocative visit to the island this week, top Chinese military officials are refusing to return calls from their counterparts at the Pentagon, according to Politico.
According to the report, Beijing has reportedly rejected numerous calls by Lloyd Austin Defense Secretary and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Mark Milley over recent days. “three people with knowledge of the attempts.” Milley’s last confirmed contact with China’s Chief of the Joint Staff, Gen. Li Zuocheng, came on July 7, while Austin met with Chinese Defense Minister Gen. Wei Fenghe in person back in June.
Beijing has decided to end diplomatic relations with Washington in various military and civilian areas. China’s Foreign Ministry released a list of issues on which there will no longer be communication between Chinese and American officials, including military contacts on the level of theater commanders and wider defense policy coordination talks.
China also suspended consultations on maritime security, cooperation on the repatriation of illegal migrants, legal assistance on criminal matters, fighting against transnational crime and drug trafficking, as well as talks on climate change, it said in a statement.
While not commenting on the reported break in top-level military communications, the White House said China’s recent moves increase the “risk of miscalculation and misperception,”Even though John Kirby, spokesperson for the National Security Council insisted on it “does not completely eliminate the opportunities for senior members of our military to talk.”
“You have this much military hardware operating in confined areas, it’s good, especially now, to have those lines of communication open,”Kirby stated this Friday.
Beijing launched “unprecedented” military exercises and live-fire drills in six maritime areas around Taiwan on Thursday in response to Nancy Pelosi’s brief visit. Drills will include simulation of an attack. “blockade”The Chinese Defense Ministry explains that the Chinese Defense Ministry also provides information on amphibious assaults, ground attacks, and other aspects of island defense.
LEARN MORE
China asserts Taiwan’s major invasion
China considers Taiwan an inalienable part of its territory and views visits such as Pelosi’s as attacks on its sovereignty and a violation of the ‘one-China’ principle, under which most countries refrain from diplomatic recognition of Taiwan. Although China has recognized Beijing as its sole legitimate authority in China, the US still maintains close unofficial relations with Taiwan. They frequently supply weapons and support Taipei’s push for independence.
[ad_2]
