Recently, Sino-U.S. relations have fallen into a low ebb again. Following the confrontation between Chinese and U.S. military aircraft over the South China Sea on the 25th of last month, Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu even more rarely rejected the U.S. defense minister’s request for dialogue early. In this regard, U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin (Lloyd Austin) finally called out to China yesterday (1) local time, saying that the situation may rapidly get out of control.

“When we look at China’s provocative interception of our planes and those of our allies in international airspace and waterways, that’s a big deal,” Austin said at a joint press conference with Japanese Defense Minister Yasuichi Hamada, according to Radio France Internationale. Very worrying.”

Austin later emphasized: “I am worried that at some point, there will be an event that may get out of control very, very quickly.” Therefore, he called out to Beijing, saying that on behalf of the US military, he welcomes any opportunity to contact the Chinese leadership. .

According to expert analysis, Austin apparently extended an olive branch to China, but in fact it was a diplomatic deterrent to China.

First of all, although Austin expressed his hope to have a dialogue with the Chinese side, he emphasized several times that if there is no communication, the situation may spiral out of control. Moreover, this loss of control only needs to be caused by an uncertain event at an uncertain time.

Prior to this, high-level U.S. military officials and even President Biden once expressed their desire to have dialogue with China, and rarely mentioned the possibility of Sino-U.S. conflicts “out of control.” Austin’s heartfelt speech shows that China’s refusal to dialogue has almost exceeded the tolerance of the U.S. .

Secondly, Austin mentioned in response to the confrontation of military aircraft between the two countries in the South China Sea that this is China’s provocative act against the United States. Coincidentally, yesterday was the day when the United States, Japan, and the Philippines launched a joint military exercise in the South China Sea. Apart from stabilizing the confidence of allies in the zone, this move clearly sent a signal of deterrence to China.

U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin called out to China, saying that if the relationship does not improve, the situation may spiral out of control.Figure: Taken from the World Wide Web

U.S. Secretary of Defense Austin called out to China, saying that if the relationship does not improve, the situation may spiral out of control.Figure: Taken from the World Wide Web

The Chinese People's Liberation Army warship live-fire military exercise. Figure: Taken from Chariots and Horses Pointing Soldiers V

The Chinese People’s Liberation Army warship live-fire military exercise. Figure: Taken from Chariots and Horses Pointing Soldiers V

The People's Liberation Army has dramatically expanded its navy, raising security concerns among neighbors in East Asia. Figure: Taken from Chariots and Horses Pointing Soldiers V

The People’s Liberation Army has dramatically expanded its navy, raising security concerns among neighbors in East Asia. Figure: Taken from Chariots and Horses Pointing Soldiers V