Editor
Ely Ratner, the assistant secretary for Indo-Pacific security affairs in the Department of Defense (DOD), expressed the United States' desire to maintain open lines of communication with China in the military domain to prevent misunderstandings during both peacetime and crises. However, Ratner stated that Beijing has been rejecting or not responding to American requests, according to his remarks on Thursday.
The US administration has consistently emphasized its intention to establish communication channels with China, as demonstrated by President Joe Biden and President Xi Jinping's agreement during their meeting in Bali. They had even announced a visit by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken to Beijing. Nonetheless, previous attempts at engagement were thwarted when a Chinese surveillance balloon was discovered over mainland American territory, leading to public outrage and the cancellation of Blinken's trip in February.
While there has been a recent thaw in US-China relations, particularly with the meeting between US National Security Advisor Jake Sullivan and senior Chinese Communist Party foreign policy figure Wang Yi in Vienna, military engagement between the two nations has yet to materialize. Ratner underscored the significance of maintaining lines of communication to prevent misperception, miscalculation, and crises from spiraling out of control. These mechanisms aim to discuss emerging domains and strategies with high potential for escalation.
Regarding a potential meeting between US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart, General Li Shangfu, during the Shangrila dialogue in Singapore, Ratner revealed that the US had initiated a request several weeks ago, but it remained unanswered. While Li is under CAATSA sanctions, Ratner stressed that these sanctions have no legal or technical bearing on whether he can meet with Austin. Ratner emphasized that the ball is in China's court.
Ratner acknowledged that the US-China relationship differs from the US-Soviet relationship but drew a Cold War analogy to highlight the importance of military engagement. He expressed concerns about the possibility of a major crisis arising due to China's actions and emphasized the need to establish effective communication channels before such a crisis occurs.
On the subject of Taiwan, Ratner reiterated that US policy has not changed, emphasizing the objective to maintain the status quo in the Taiwan Strait and rejecting support for Taiwan independence. However, the US remains committed to providing defensive arms to Taiwan and maintaining its own capability to resist coercion. Ratner asserted that deterrence is real and strong, with the US working on various activities and concepts to reinforce it. He also emphasized the importance of striking a balance in US policy, particularly in maintaining relationships with allies and partners in the region while avoiding actions that could escalate tensions.
Overall, Ratner highlighted the US's commitment to open communication and deterrence while emphasizing the need for a stable and balanced approach in its relationship with China.