Defense Secretary Austin: War with China Not Likely in the Near Future
Austin emphasized the importance of maintaining the bilateral dialogue.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin stated that there was no imminent or unavoidable war with China during a defense forum in Singapore on Saturday.
Austin did not disclose specifics of the conversation but emphasized the importance of reestablishing communication between the two militaries.
According to the Pentagon’s summary, Austin expressed concern about recent provocative actions by Chinese forces near the Taiwan Strait and reiterated that China should not use Taiwan’s presidential transition as an excuse for coercive measures.
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The CCP considers Taiwan a renegade province and has expressed willingness to use force to claim the island. The party also made expansive territorial claims in the South China Sea, leading to conflicts with neighboring countries.
Despite the threats, Austin believes that reopened dialogue between him and Dong will help de-escalate tensions in the region and prevent a full-scale war.
He emphasized the need for leaders of powerful nations to collaborate and reduce opportunities for misunderstandings and miscalculations to avoid unnecessary conflicts.
He reiterated the ironclad commitment to the treaty, underscoring the importance of upholding it in all circumstances.
Austin emphasized the importance of preventing unnecessary conflicts and reiterated the commitment to the Mutual Defense Treaty with the Philippines.
