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GuardianApr 03
US, China Defense Chiefs Hold First Talks in 18 Months
Image copyright: Sgt. Mikki Sprenkle via Wikimedia Commons
The Facts
US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin held a video call with China's National Defense Minister Dong Jun on Tuesday, marking the first direct conversation between both countries' defense chiefs in almost 18 months.
The two discussed bilateral defense ties and regional and global security issues, with Austin stressing the importance of expanding "military-to-military communication," according to the Pentagon.
The Spin
Pro-establishment narrative
The talks between the defense chiefs underline the US desire to put bilateral military ties back on a solid footing. This is especially necessary as the risk of unintended escalation increased due to Beijing's hostile intercepts of US aircraft and threats to Taiwan and other regional US allies. The US will continue to operate safely and responsibly where international law permits, and as mutual trust improves further, Beijing will realize that competition must not end in conflict.
Establishment-critical narrative
China welcomes the Austin-Dong talks, as building trust and defense ties is crucial for developing stable relations and preventing major crises. However, to avoid jeopardizing the encouraging progress, the US should refrain from playing a double game and take practical steps to maintain regional peace and stability. Beijing rejects any zero-sum logic, and peaceful coexistence is possible as long as China's territorial sovereignty and maritime rights are respected.