U.S. defense chief tells China talks essential to avoid crisis

China, by refusing to talk to avert a crisis, is clearly displaying an intent and willingness to cause one. What a wonderful responsible country.

China seems to want a war. Or China thinks they are the Super Power who calls all the shots. Either way, China needs to wake up and smell the Jiaozi's.

Why did the Chief of the CIA visit China last month?

The Chinese are not very kind to their Muslim populations. This week reports of destroying sacred mosques. What kind of peace is that?

With one hand crafting anti-China policies, with the other hand outreached in the gesture of welcome. The results are predictable.

Mr Ratheon is clearly on a business trip.

Austin pointed to Russia's invasion of Ukraine as an example of "how dangerous our world would become if big countries could just invade their peaceful neighbours with impunity".

This can't be emphasized enough. It's bigger than Ukraine or Taiwan. If the world allows bigger countries, including my own, to just take territory relatively painlessly, then that is what will happen, and it will become an arms race of sorts. The lesson needs to be that if you try and take the territory of others, it will be painful.

Why should China talk?

The USA and allies have proven over and over again their word their deals mean nothing, just like the other powerful governments past and present.

We know were "talks " and agreements got use with Russia and Ukraine, with the west openly admitting the Minsk agreement was a stalling tactic.

With such reliable people to deal with, I don't see any point, and we know from experience anything the Chinese agree to they will eventually also find a way around or ignore the agreement.

So until we suddenly get 2 sides actually will to keep to any agreement, talk it a waste of time.

Actually, the framing of his argument is completely flawed. Taiwan is not a neighbor of China. Taiwan is a province of China. Look at any map published in Taiwan or the Mainland.

This can't be emphasized enough.

He's right of course. Let's see if the puppet general can come up with anything as reasonable.

*Mr Ratheon is clearly on a business trip.*

Their stocks have dropped after the Patriot missiles’ performance in Ukraine

The CIA going to Beijing shows China is calling the shots. Austin will need to kow tow to restore dialogue. That’s how China runs.

With one hand crafting anti-China policies, with the other hand outreached in the gesture of welcome.

China is capable of understanding that you can have dialog without it being a gesture of friendship.

The results are predictable.

Only because China is predictably petulant.

The CIA going to Beijing shows China is calling the shots. Austin will need to kow tow to restore dialogue. That’s how China runs.

I believe you that China runs through corrupt transactional policies. The CIA director going to Peking shows no deference to China since 1) he was received cordially and 2) you don't know what was discussed.

Why should China talk?

Because it is the right thing to do.

The USA and allies have proven over and over again their word their deals mean nothing, just like the other powerful governments past and present.

Russia invading Ukraine. China ignoring UNCLOS.

We know were "talks " and agreements got use with Russia and Ukraine, with the west openly admitting the Minsk agreement was a stalling tactic.

Stalling what? Russia's criminal invasion?

With such reliable people to deal with, I don't see any point, and we know from experience anything the Chinese agree to they will eventually also find a way around or ignore the agreement.

I agree, China will find a way around or ignore the agreement. That is why they have to be trusted like 1.4 billion pound gorilla.

So until we suddenly get 2 sides actually will to keep to any agreement, talk it a waste of time.

You're not going to get two sides with one side holed up in its room like a petulant teenager.

The problem with the USA is far too many old men and a cold war mentality still seeing China as the China of the Korean war.

China is still the China of the Korean war but also far different at the same time.

It can still far out number all adversaries but it's military fully modernised.

In the 50s exhausted from the civil war out dated equipment it near back and helped off basically the entire western world.

The old men still think this will be a fight of large numbers of poorly equipped Chinese military.

But any conflict will be with an extremely large number of well equipped Chinese military.

The idea that future war would no longer be "conventional warfare" like Korea WW2 WWI was the thinking.

Ukraine with a return to a more conventional warfare, including trenches, large numbers of soldiers, etc.. shows that things are not what the so-called experts predicted.

High tech weapons can only do so much and as we are seeing a war of attrition the one willing to throw more men into battle will wear down the otherside.

China has a very big reserve of men and any conflict will be in their own backyard with the opposite side having a very difficult and long supply line to try and maintain.

No I don't trust China but this old man thinking by the present USA administration not living in the present may get us all killed.

TaiwanIsNotChina

Today 04:09 pm JST

I pointed out facts that are readily available even in western MSM news.

You twist facts, so I don't see any point it trying to bother with any counter points.

Here is a list of why few really want to deal with the USA and even less sign any agreements with it.

https://www.govexec.com/oversight/2018/05/its-not-just-trump-us-has-always-broken-its-treaties-pacts-and-promises/148179/

The USA is notorious for breaking deals, in its relatively short existence, it has spent the vast majority at war, it broke nearly every single treaty, trade deal, and agreement, or pulled out after promising to join.

So why should China trust them?

You twist facts, so I don't see any point it trying to bother with any counter points.

That's okay. I'll still be here to correct you.

AntiquesavingToday 04:14 pm JST

The problem with the USA is far too many old men and a cold war mentality still seeing China as the China of the Korean war.

You're right, it's worse than the China of the Korean war.

China is still the China of the Korean war but also far different at the same time.

It can still far out number all adversaries but it's military fully modernised.

But any conflict will be with an extremely large number of well equipped Chinese military.

Good for them. Hope they can swim to Taiwan.

Ukraine with a return to a more conventional warfare, including trenches, large numbers of soldiers, etc.. shows that things are not what the so-called experts predicted.

Ukraine isn't the US. It has no F-35s.

High tech weapons can only do so much and as we are seeing a war of attrition the one willing to throw more men into battle will wear down the otherside.

Uh, are you seriously taking up my proposal of swimming to Taiwan?

China has a very big reserve of men and any conflict will be in their own backyard with the opposite side having a very difficult and long supply line to try and maintain.

China's got to get past a very heavily mined Taiwan strait at a minimum. China's oil supplies still come from WAY far away.

No I don't trust China but this old man thinking by the present USA administration not living in the present may get us all killed.

That's precisely why we need adult conversations.

So why should China trust them?

Because China similarly breaks treaties and they have no choice.

The issue is right there in the American statement, the US feels that it's illegal invasions and occupations and government overthrow operations and drone death squads are not a problem for anyone, the only thing of concern is other countries doing, or thinking about doing, any of those things.

It looks like China is through tolerating the arrogant hypocrisy and belittling attitude and the US knows no other way to talk.

RichardPearceToday 05:01 pm JST

The issue is right there in the American statement, the US feels that it's illegal invasions and occupations and government overthrow operations and drone death squads are not a problem for anyone, the only thing of concern is other countries doing, or thinking about doing, any of those things.

Yes, everybody doing those things a concern. As it should be for you. The US last stole territory in 1898. Russia did in 2022.

It looks like China is through tolerating the arrogant hypocrisy and belittling attitude and the US knows no other way to talk.

The US isn't going anywhere, so silence is just telling us that China is preparing for war.

China's Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu had this week declined an invitation to meet Austin at the security summit. Li, a general who has been sanctioned by the U.S., delivers his own speech on Sunday.'

So just to clarify this....US sanctions this Chinese defense minister Li but then acts all surprised when the guy doesnt wanna talk to them? Seriously?

That's okay. I'll still be here to correct you.

You mean twist facts, right?

Good for them. Hope they can swim to Taiwan.

Why swim?

The PLA can hit every part of Taiwan from the mainland including its air defense, Taiwan at best can hit a few coastal areas and claims it has a few new missiles capable of reaching Beijing.

China has a big enough navy to blockade the island and seeing the USA says Taiwan is part of China it would be difficult for it to risk running that blockade and basically declaring war on China.

Fantasies aside if it came to a shooting war Taiwan wouldn't stand a chance and the USA wouldn't be able to help much because the supply lines are too long and difficult.

And in all probability the USA public is not interested in Americans dying in another foreign war.

Add to this list any promises the USA makes to Taiwan.

https://www.govexec.com/oversight/2018/05/its-not-just-trump-us-has-always-broken-its-treaties-pacts-and-promises/148179/

Yes, everybody doing those things a concern. As it should be for you. The US last stole territory in 1898. Russia did in 2022.

That is if you only count the places it refused to return to the rightful owners.

You forget all the central american occupations, the Native lands and treaties broken and the land permanently taken, you forget the occupation of Afghanistan, Iraq, Syria, etc..,..

If you really are from Taiwan, before betting the USA will keep its deal/promise, I would look up how the USA and UK sold out the Poles and others after WW2 and sold out the USA installed Afghanistan government and abandoned the military and civilians that help them during the occupation.

Antiquesaving

Why should China talk?

The USA and allies have proven over and over again their word their deals mean nothing, just like the other powerful governments past and present.

We know were "talks " and agreements got use with Russia and Ukraine, with the west openly admitting the Minsk agreement was a stalling tactic.

Why would Russia be impacted? The Minsk agreements have nothing to do with Russia.

The PLA can hit every part of Taiwan from the mainland including its air defense, Taiwan at best can hit a few coastal areas and claims it has a few new missiles capable of reaching Beijing.

China is modernizing its military with military tech. Hypersonic missiles. J-20 and J-35. Type 003 Fujian with EMALS. Powerful destroyers and nuclear attack submarines. I could go on.

The U.S. suckered the Japanese to buy the F-35 which they aren’t even sure they can keep up the parts supplies. They suckered Taiwan to spent billions to get nothing. And if war started where are the goods? “We’re making them.”

China’s extraordinary manufacturing capacity means that China could outlast the USA in any war. Building ships, planes, tanks…you name it.

China is such a crucial part of America’s supply chains, including military supply chains, China could strangle the United States.

The USA and allies have proven over and over again their word their deals mean nothing, just like the other powerful governments past and present.

Including China itself right? China has thrown out the treaty with UK over Hong Kong, lied about not militarizing the man made islands China illegally constructed in other nations recognized EEZ in the South China sea etc.

When dialog stops, problems increase and conflict become a more likely possibility. If the US refused to talk to China, you can bet all the CCP fans here would be bagging America relentlessly about it. Funny how it does not seem to work both ways, isn't it.

Actually, the framing of his argument is completely flawed. Taiwan is not a neighbor of China. Taiwan is a province of China. Look at any map published in Taiwan or the Mainland.

And yet the people of Taiwan continue to disagree about being part of CCP ruled China. Any that say Taiwan is a province of China are those believing the true legitimate rulers of all of China are ROC. When will the rogue CCP agree with that assessment?

So just to clarify this....US sanctions this Chinese defense minister Li but then acts all surprised when the guy doesnt wanna talk to them? Seriously?

They sanctioned him in 2018 but want to have open communications. Lol.

They banned companies from selling chips to China but now wants to sell chips again, realizing that they’ve screwed up. (Just their chip makers though not Samsung or ASML.)

Why would Russia be impacted? The Minsk agreements have nothing to do with Russia.

Really? Like the USA always say, it will intervene when USA interest or citizens are involved.

Russia says the same.

And in the Minsk agreement it involved ethnic Russians and Russian interests, or are you saying only the USA has this special right to protect its interests.

Funny when the USAs own policies are used by others suddenly the USA is upset

When dialog stops, problems increase and conflict become a more likely possibility.

Oh you mean like refusing to talk with Russia, until demands are met first.

Funny how you and the rest say that China needs to talk but forget trying to talk with Russia.

China has thrown out the treaty with UK over Hong Kong

The treaty’s two systems has been overemphasized. One country two systems. There is the other half of the equation, one country, that is often overlooked.

The bottom line is the US is bad news: Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Even Wuhan. They have caught on to the US.

If the goal is to topple China then it has to be an invasion or an internal break down or civil war. The U.S. will not invade China and the latter won’t happen in times of peace and prosperity which they’re enjoying. The old playbook of funding separatists won’t work, again, because they’ve caught on to US tricks and are good at crackdowns to begin with.

How would you change China? Decoupling is not going to work because you lose billions. De-risking is just popular saying and means nothing as European countries look to set up factories in China as energy costs have shot up due to war.

Really? Like the USA always say, it will intervene when USA interest or citizens are involved.

Pure whadabout fantasy.

Two things; first, no it doesn't invade countries to protect US citizens, and it doesn't say it will. Second, Russian speakers in Ukraine are Ukranian citizens, not Russian. So your whole arguement is invalid and simply an extension of you blaming anything and everything on America.

And in the Minsk agreement it involved ethnic Russians and Russian interests,

So what? Russia does not have the right to annex the land where Russian speaking non-citizens live.

By your logic France, Germany & Italy have every right to carve up Switzerland, and any non-Russian speakers within Russia have the right to self-determination.

ClippetyClop

Today 07:29 pm JST

Really? Like the USA always say, it will intervene when USA interest or citizens are involved.

> Pure whadabout fantasy.

> Two things; first, no it doesn't invade countries to protect US citizens, and it doesn't say it will. Second, Russian speakers in Ukraine are Ukranian citizens, not Russian. So your whole arguement is invalid and simply an extension of you blaming anything and everything on America.

Sure if you like to live in a fantasy,

Lets see the USA can but no one else can becomes whataboutism.

The USA doesn't invade other countries to protect its citizens.

Lets see we can start with mexico, Hawaii, Nicaragua, Cuba, Grenada Iraq, Afghanistan, Iraq again would you like some more?

Now some of those was not to protect USA citizens but to protect USA interts like those of the Fruit buyers of America and American oil companies and tire rubber supplies.

Funny how Americans have so little knowledge of their own history.

> "However, now the U.S. says it wants to speak to the Chinese side while seeking to suppress China through all possible means and continue imposing sanctions on Chinese officials, institutions and companies," the statement said

Yup that's the US, asking you to talk while stabbing you.

The USA doesn't invade other countries to protect its citizens.

Correct. And it doesn't annex them and kidnap their kids and threaten to nuke anyone who gets in their way.

Lets see we can start with mexico, Hawaii, Nicaragua, Cuba, Grenada Iraq, Afghanistan, Iraq again would you like some more?

I'd like one for starters, which is none of the above. And even if it were, it would bear absolutely no relevance to what Russia is doing.

Funny how Americans have so little knowledge of their own history.

I'm not American. Funny how you have so little knowledge of absolutely anything apart from a childish perma-rage against America. You should grow up.

Oh you mean like refusing to talk with Russia, until demands are met first

Like Russian demands that occupied Ukraine territory must be recognized as Russian before Russia will agree to talks. Those demands? The UN, Turkey/NATO and France/NATO have been talking to Russia and continue to do so. Ukraine cant talk to Russia as it refuses to give its occupied territory to Russia. It is not going to agree to Russian preconditions for talks.

Every side has a story, some appear to be more honest than others.

Two things; first, no it doesn't invade countries to protect US citizens,

So what's the reason it invades other countries?

The bottom line is the US is bad news:

Bad news for those who deny others basic rights and freedoms. I wont lose sleep over that.

Xinjiang, Tibet, Hong Kong, and Taiwan. Even Wuhan. They have caught on to the US.

Yes the people there want US type freedoms but have to fight against the repression of the CCP, except Taiwan who is embracing closer contacts and relations with the US.

Talking is a first step to better understanding. Refusing that step is a sign that they want no understanding with the other side. China wants power, nothing more.

So what's the reason it invades other countries?

Which invasion are you talking about? Do you think they have all had the same convenient reason?

Choose one.

I'd like one for starters

Hahaha.

I gave you several, look them up!

Ok you aren't American then before saying

The USA doesn't invade other countries to protect its citizens.

Look up the facts,

The USA stole Arizona, California, new mexico from mexico using the excuse of protecting its citizens and invaded.

The USA repeated this on the sovereign nations of Hawaii.

It invaded Nicaragua and occupied other Central American countries under the excuse of protecting its business interests.

It invaded Iraq under false pretenses stole its oil.

But hey facts don't matter do they just the ones you think are facts like feelings.

Peter14

Today 07:57 pm JST

The bottom line is the US is bad news:

> Bad news for those who deny others basic rights and freedoms. I wont lose sleep over that

Well let's see, the USA has existed for about 247 years and been at war 220 of those years

The USA has broken every treaty and promise internally and internationally it has ever made.

https://www.govexec.com/oversight/2018/05/its-not-just-trump-us-has-always-broken-its-treaties-pacts-and-promises/148179/

I would say that isn't a good track record.

As for democracy, basic rights, freedom, tell that to Iran, when it helped overthrow the elected government installing the puppet Shah of Iran, when it helped overthrow the elected government of Chile installing Pinochet dictatorship, when it helped overthrow the elected government of Argentina instantly a military junta and again in south Korea the same, oh let's not forget Batista in Cuba. How about Nicaragua again overthrowing the government by force and occupation.

I call all that bad news we could add in the mess in Iraq, Syria, Libya, etc...

That isn't why they stole those areas

No that was the excuses, the same excuse used in Hawaii, Grenada, Iraq Afghanistan Syria.

And I'm afraid those thefts will neither explain nor excuse why Russia is invading and annexing parts of Ukraine.

Never said it did but you and others think what Russia is doing is something not done by the "civilised" world.

I am pointing out that the supposed great democracy does it all the time and you cannot admit the hypocrisy of it all.

ClippetyClop

Today 08:10 pm JST

So let me understand what you are saying.

Russia do as the USA says not as it does!

Correct?

Remember, the USA policy is protect its citizens but Also protect it interests

remember that last part because the USA uses it still to this day.