【By Liu Bai, Observer News】On August 29, "Nikkei Asia" reported that U.S. Defense Secretary Austin has proposed a phone call with the Chinese defense minister, but China has not yet given a clear response.
The report said that China remains cautious because it has not seen a clear path to improve relations.
According to a U.S. official cited by Japanese media, the U.S. hopes to arrange a call in early September, just after September 3, when China will hold a military parade to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the War of Resistance against Japan.
Japanese media believe that although seeking military dialogue does not indicate a shift in U.S. policy, it reflects efforts to avoid misunderstandings and help lay the groundwork for future possible summit meetings between the heads of state of the two countries.
If the call takes place, it would be the first high-level military exchange between China and the U.S. since President Trump's second term.
The report said that according to statements from multiple current and former officials of both countries, China is being cautious because it has not seen a clear path to improve relations.
Photo of U.S. Defense Secretary Austin speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue
In May, at the Singapore Shangri-La Dialogue, Austin actively promoted the so-called "China threat," trying to pressure allies to increase military spending.
He strongly exaggerated, saying, "There's no need to sugarcoat things; the threat posed by China is real and may be imminent. Therefore, the United States and its allies must prepare for 'urgency and vigilance,' and the United States should also be ready to 'fight and achieve a decisive victory.'"
Source said that Austin's aggressive wording has drawn attention from China.
Regarding Austin's inappropriate remarks, the Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson responded that Austin ignored the calls of regional countries for peace and development, promoted the Cold War mentality of bloc confrontation, smeared and attacked China, and greatly exaggerated the "China threat theory," full of provocation and incitement. China strongly disapproves of this and has made serious representations to the U.S. side.
Sources also said that after U.S. Secretary of State Rubio met with Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi in Malaysia on July 11, the Pentagon began considering more military dialogues with China. The U.S. regarded that meeting as "constructive and practical."
The report said another possible channel to promote military exchanges between China and the U.S. is the upcoming Xiangshan Forum in Beijing next month. The U.S. Assistant Deputy Secretary of Defense for Indo-Pacific Security Affairs, Alvaro Smith, is considering attending, and the U.S. embassy's military attaché in China has confirmed his attendance.
Last year, Smith's predecessor Michael Chase led a delegation to attend the Xiangshan Forum and held working-level talks with the Chinese side during the conference.
On the afternoon of June 13, General Jiang Bin, Deputy Director of the Department of Defense Information Bureau and Spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, responded to "expectations for Sino-U.S. military relations."
Jiang Bin stated that China has always adhered to the principles of "mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation," and is committed to promoting the stable, healthy, and sustainable development of Sino-U.S. military relations. He hoped that the U.S. would stop hyping up the so-called "China threat," genuinely respect China's core interests and major concerns, work in the same direction with China, strengthen communication and dialogue, properly manage differences, enhance understanding and trust, and jointly improve and develop the military relations between the two countries.
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