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According to US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin, the United States and China will restart military communications “in the coming months,” a significant step towards reducing escalating tensions between the two nations.
Austin made this announcement following a meeting with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, on Friday during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore. This was the first in-person discussion between the defense chiefs in 18 months.

Chinese defense spokesman Wu Qian described the talks as “positive,” noting that military relations were “currently stopping their decline and stabilizing.” However, he emphasized that resolving all bilateral issues in one meeting was unrealistic, pointing to the contentious Taiwan issue. Beijing views Taiwan as part of its territory and has warned of severe repercussions following US support for the island, particularly after President William Lai Ching-te’s inauguration.
The dialogue comes shortly after China conducted military drills around Taiwan, responding to what it perceives as provocative actions from the US. Austin criticized China’s military maneuvers as “provocative” and urged against using Taiwan’s political changes as a justification for coercive actions.
Tensions also remain high due to US defense activities in the Asia Pacific, including joint military exercises with the Philippines and the deployment of missile systems, which Beijing condemns as escalating regional risks. Despite these frictions, both nations are committed to improving communication, with high-level talks and visits, such as Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s recent trip to Beijing and Shanghai, playing a crucial role.
In 2022, China halted military communications with the US in response to then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan, further straining relations. The resumption of dialogue, agreed upon during a summit between President Joe Biden and Chinese leader Xi Jinping last November, aims to prevent conflicts and accidents in contested areas like the South China Sea, where both nations’ forces have had several close encounters.