US says Chinese military ignored invitation to defence event
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The refusal by the Chinese authorities to speak with US military leaders is a worrisome gap.
PHOTO: REUTERS
ASPEN, Colorado - The Chinese military has ignored outreach from the admiral in charge of the Indo-Pacific Command, rebuffing yet another effort by the US to resume defence ties that have been suspended for months.
Admiral John Aquilino said Tuesday that all of his attempts to contact his Chinese counterparts have been disregarded or declined, including a recent invitation to attend the annual chiefs of defence conference in Fiji in August.
“We have invited, but we have not heard,” Adm Aquilino said at the Aspen Security Forum in Colorado.
The refusal by the Chinese authorities to speak to US military leaders is a worrisome gap in efforts from the Biden administration to improve relations between the world’s two largest economies.
Despite recent visits to China by Cabinet secretaries,
The US Defence Department at the time called that decision a “concerning unwillingness” to engage in military discussions as tensions remain high in the South China Sea.
Mr Li was targeted by Washington in 2018 for violating US sanctions by allegedly aiding in the transfer of Su-35 combat aircraft and S-400 missile system equipment from Russian arms seller Rosoboronexport to China.
Mr Austin did meet then Defence Minister Wei Fenghe in 2022 at a security forum, an exchange that a Chinese military spokesman described as a start towards resuming normal dialogue.
China suspended military ties after then House Speaker Nancy Pelosi visited Taiwan
Subsequent efforts to resume those ties were derailed after the US identified and later shot down an alleged Chinese spy balloon transiting US territory in February.
Speaking on Tuesday, Adm Aquilino said the August Fiji conference would be held in person, and the regional chiefs of defence also meet virtually several times a year. In the past two years, China has only appeared once by teleconference, he said.
“That’s been the extent of my contact since I’ve been in this position,” Adm Aquilino said, discussing his requests to speak with his direct counterparts. “My asks have gone either unanswered or refused.” BLOOMBERG
