In an unprecedented phone discussion with his Chinese equivalent, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin was told that Taiwan is a component of China, in the face of signs that Russia's assault on Ukraine is influencing how strategists perceive a future battle.
During an unusual phone chat with Austin on Wednesday, Chinese Army Chief Wei Fenghe stated that Taiwan is a territory of China and that no one can alter that, according to an original statement from Beijing.
Wei added that if the Taiwan problem is not addressed correctly, it will have a negative impact on Sino-American ties.
The request comes as the U.S. has frequently warned China not to back Russia's assault on Ukraine with military aid. In response, Moscow has sent a formal note to the U.S. urging it to cease aiding Ukraine.
Ausin sought the conversation as a follow-up to the March 18 call involving President Biden and Xi Jinping, and the March 14 meeting between NSA Jake Sullivan and PRC Politburo Member Yang Jiechi in Rome, according to a Pentagon spokesperson Admiral John Kirby.
The spokesman added that the Secretary emphasized that the United States is devoted to our one-China policy, as outlined in the Taiwan Relations Act, the Six Assurances, and the Three Joint Communique.
According to a briefing by Kirby, Secretary Austin and General Wei covered U.S.-PRC military relations, regional security problems, and Russia's unlawful attack on Ukraine.
In addition, despite pleas from the U.S. and NATO to increase sanctions against Russia in the wake of the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, China has pledged to enhance its ties with Moscow.
"Regardless of how global circumstances evolve, China will as always, increase strategic collaboration with Russia," China's foreign ministry promised Russian Ambassador Andrey Denisov on Tuesday.
Austin had attempted unsuccessfully for months to organize a meeting with Gen. Xu Qiliang, the top military commander in the Communist Party's military organization in charge of the People's Liberation Army.
After a conference between Xi and Russian President Vladimir Putin in February, the two countries released a unified statement declaring a no-limits alliance.
In the coming days, the U.S. is anticipated to announce a new military aid package for Ukraine, possibly matching the $800 million agreed last week.
The United States is not openly fighting in Ukraine, but it is indirectly involved in supplying, training, and funding Kyiv's soldiers.
