Lloyd Austin, secretary of Defending of the country, spoke with his Chinese counterpart for the first time since taking office.
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The call came amid growing tension between Washington and Beijing, as well as concerns that China is openly supporting Russia.
Although Austin has made it clear that getting closer to China is the Defense Department’s main objective, Russia has monopolized the Pentagon’s operations this year.
The Pentagon chief spoke with General Wei Fenge, after months of unsuccessful efforts to speak with General Xu Qiliang.
Xu is the highest-ranking officer in the military structure of the Communist Party that rules China.
Also, Austin wanted to talk to him because, as the vice chairman of the party’s Central Military Commission, which controls the People’s Liberation Army, Xu is more influential than Wei.
But China wanted the protocols to be respected and General Wei is officially the US secretary’s counterpart as defense minister.
However, General Wei is below Xu in the hierarchy and has less operational influence.
The tense relationship between the United States and China
The Pentagon said Austin and Wei discussed US-China defense relations, regional security issues and Russia’s “unprovoked invasion of Ukraine.”
The call lasted 45 minutes and was like a follow-up to President Joe Biden’s call with President Xi Jinping on March 18.
The relationship between the United States and China has become more tense on several levels since the start of the Biden presidency.
The president has repeatedly criticized China for military provocations against Taiwan.
He has also accused Beijin LG for human rights abuses against ethnic minorities and efforts to stifle democracy in Hong Kong.
Now, with the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, relations with China have come to a head again.
Although China has not openly supported Russia, it has also not condemned its actions and is a historical ally of Moscow.
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