US Defense Chief warns China against risky behavior in Indo-Pacific region

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday criticized China for carrying out dangerous airstrikes over the South China Sea and warned that Washington will not be deterred by dangerous behavior in the Indo-Pacific region.

Austin said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore that China was conducting “an alarming number of risky interceptions of US and allied aircraft legally flying in international airspace”.

His comments came days after the Pentagon released a video showing a Chinese fighter jet flying dangerously close to a US spy plane.

“We don’t seek conflict or confrontation, but we will not bow to bullying or coercion,” Austin said.

The annual Asia Security Forum, organized by the International Institute for Strategic Studies think-tank, often serves as one of the few places for US defense secretaries to meet with their Chinese counterparts. However, China declined an invitation to a meeting in Austin this year as the US maintains sanctions on Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu.

On Friday, Austin attended a dinner at which Lee was present. Speaking at the forum on Sunday, the two men shook hands in their first conversation since Lee became defense minister in March.

In a speech that emphasized US commitment to allies in the region, Austin indirectly asked China to engage with the Pentagon.

“For responsible defense leaders, the right time to talk is any time, the right time to talk is anytime, and the right time to talk is now. Dialogue is not a prize. It is a necessity,” Austin said. .

Asked if the Pentagon had made any progress trying to hold nuclear arms control talks with China, Austin replied: “You had to talk to them first, so as soon as they answer the phone, maybe we can[talk]) do.”

His comments come as the US is trying to start top-level talks with Chinese officials in an effort to stabilize ties. China has refused to greenlight a visit by Secretary of State Antony Blinken, who canceled a visit to Beijing in February over an alleged Chinese spy balloon.

But the Financial Times reported on Friday that CIA director Bill Burns made a secret trip to Beijing in May and met with Chinese intelligence officials. Two people familiar with the trip said China has invited Burns to visit.

In his speech, Austin said Washington and its allies have made “tremendous progress” toward ensuring peace and stability in the Indo-Pacific region, which he reported as a response to China.

“More and more, the countries of the Indo-Pacific have come together around a compelling vision of the future,” Austin said. “It is a vision of a region in which all countries are free to flourish on their own terms – without coercion, threats or intimidation.”

In another veiled reference to China amid concerns about possible military action against Taiwan, Austin said Russia’s invasion of Ukraine “convinced people everywhere how dangerous our world would become if big countries attacked their peaceful neighbors.” can attack.”

He said the US is “doubling down” on its alliances and “increasing planning, coordination and training with our friends from the East China Sea to the South China Sea to the Indian Ocean”.

Asked by the Financial Times whether the US is making progress in developing joint operational battle plans with allies, particularly Japan and Australia, for Taiwan contingency, Austin declined to comment on specifics.

But he said it was important to increase interoperability between the forces and that while the Pentagon had made a lot, the progress made so far was “by no means where any of us ultimately want to be”.