Cancellation of US-China military talks increases risks in difficult times

China is monitoring the situation in the Taiwan Strait.

Reuters

Security analysts, diplomats and US officials said that China's cutting of some lines of communication with the US military increases the risk of an unintended escalation of tension over Taiwan.

China canceled planned official talks between leaders at the field level, aimed at coordinating defense policy and conducting naval and military consultations, as part of its response to the visit of US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi to Taiwan.

In its editorial, the Communist Party of China People's Daily described the measure, along with the sanctions against Pelosi and her family, as part of "effective measures that fully demonstrate that China is fully determined and capable of safeguarding its national unity and maintaining its territorial integrity."

Christopher Tomei, a security researcher at the Naval Postgraduate College in California, said the cutting of the lines of communication is a matter of concern, and comes at what is believed to be the beginning of a new crisis in Taiwan.

China launched ballistic missiles over Taipei as part of an unprecedented four-day military drill around the island, which it says is part of its territory.

"This increased troop build-up in the context of an escalating crisis raises the possibility of an unintended escalation that neither side wants," Tommy said, speaking in his personal capacity.

"This is exactly the time when there are more opportunities to talk to the other side," he added.

A US official said that Chinese officials did not return calls from senior Pentagon officials this week.

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