US defense chief warns, incidents with China’s military could ‘spin out of control’

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has called on Beijing to resume bilateral security talks, warning that events “could spiral out of control” if China’s military continues to conduct provocative actions in international waters and airspace. .

At a news conference in Tokyo, Austin said it was “unfortunate” that Beijing declined the Pentagon’s request to meet with Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu at a security forum in Singapore this week.

“I am concerned that . . . is an incident that could get out of control very, very quickly,” Austin said after a meeting with his Japanese counterpart Yasukazu Hamada on Thursday. But we should talk to each other.”

The warning comes as Austin prepares to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue security forum in Singapore, where the issue of dangerous maneuvers is likely to be a topic of discussion. The Pentagon on Tuesday accused a Chinese fighter jet of “unnecessarily aggressive maneuvers” near a US military aircraft over the South China Sea last week.

A year ahead of the same forum, the US raised concerns about an increasing number of incidents of Chinese aircraft allegedly conducting dangerous operations around US, Canadian and Australian airspace. US officials raised the issue with their counterparts when Austin met with then Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe.

“We are deeply concerned by the coercive behavior of the PRC (People’s Republic of China) and its efforts to undermine the rules-based international order,” Austin said.

US defense officials have warned that a lack of connectivity between the militaries amid rising geopolitical tensions means they do not have emergency communication systems in case of a crash at sea or in the air. In 2001, an American spy plane collided with a Chinese fighter jet off the coast of Hainan Island, forcing the American plane to make an emergency landing.

According to a defense ministry official, Hamada stressed the importance of maintaining dialogue with China by pointing to a defense hotline Tokyo and Beijing began working on last month to reduce the risk of an accidental clash between their armies. Did.

Beijing has ruled out a meeting between Austin and Li at the Shangri-La talks this year because the US has not lifted sanctions against its top defense official.

The Trump administration imposed sanctions against Li in 2018 over China’s purchase of Russian fighter jets and missiles. The Pentagon previously informed Beijing that the sanctions did not preclude a meeting in Singapore, but Chinese officials have said it would be inappropriate while the sanctions remain in place.

The US and Japan on Thursday also discussed working together to develop hypersonic missile defense capabilities using interceptors and to strengthen cyber security, intelligence and surveillance using drones. Austin said the countries would also cooperate in defense supply chains to deepen ties between their industrial bases.

A day after North Korea’s failed attempt to launch a reconnaissance satellite into space, Hamada said the sides agreed to strengthen training and other areas of cooperation with allies including South Korea and Australia.