Biden Announces Restoration of Direct Military Communication with China

WASHINGTON — President Joe Biden disclosed on Thursday that direct ties between senior U.S. and Chinese military leaders have been reinstated, following a period of strained relations marked by diplomatic incidents and military encounters. Biden reported during a news conference that both nations agreed in November to resume military-to-military communication, which had been suspended by Beijing after House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan in August 2022.

The decision to restore communication channels comes after heightened tensions, including a U.S. Air Force incident in February 2023 where an F-22 shot down a Chinese spy balloon near South Carolina, prompting a delay in Secretary of State Anthony Blinken's planned visit to China. Biden emphasized the establishment of a new mechanism facilitating direct communication between himself and Chinese President Xi Jinping, as well as between their respective military commands for addressing potential issues promptly.

Details on the operational level and specifics of this renewed communication were not elaborated upon by Biden during the press briefing. Since the announcement by Biden and Xi, efforts have included Defense Policy Coordination Talks in January and a Military Maritime Consultative Agreement meeting in April, aimed at enhancing cooperation on defense relations, air, and maritime safety.

Further developments included Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin's teleconference with Admiral Dong Jun, China's Minister of National Defense, followed by a face-to-face meeting in May. Additionally, Air Force Gen. Charles "CQ" Brown Jr., Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, engaged in discussions with Gen. Liu Zhenli of the People’s Liberation Army's Joint Staff Department in December, with ongoing plans for future engagements at various military levels.

While two communication channels have been restored, discussions on potential meetings between U.S. and Chinese military theater commanders are anticipated for next year, as part of efforts to establish further dialogue amid what Defense Department officials describe as significant challenges posed by China. The U.S. military continues to prepare for potential scenarios in the Indo-Pacific region, including the sinking of three vessels this summer to bolster readiness in response to concerns over a possible Chinese invasion of Taiwan by 2027, as suggested by military officials.

Despite these preparations, Defense Secretary Austin has underscored that the prospect of war with China is not imminent or inevitable, emphasizing the importance of diplomatic engagement and crisis management. Deputy Secretary of State Kurt M. Campbell echoed these sentiments, expressing optimism that restored military communication channels will contribute to mitigating misunderstandings and reducing the risk of unintended escalation between the two nations.