US and China Avoid Economic Collapse, Now Face Potential Military Conflict

Chinese Think Tank: "US-China Military Communication Channel Silent"
Five Eyes Defense Ministers, Including US, Hold Video Meeting
China Meets Russian Foreign Minister, Targets US Saying "Unilateralism is Rising"

[Asia Economy Beijing=Special Correspondent Park Sun-mi] As the United States and China actively mobilize forces to expand their diplomatic and military influence, warnings have emerged that the risk of military conflict between the two countries is higher than ever.

According to the South China Morning Post (SCMP) in Hong Kong on the 24th, the South China Sea Research Institute, a Chinese think tank, analyzed that the military communication channels between the U.S. and China are not functioning properly and are mostly silent, indicating an increased risk of military conflict between the two countries.

Director Wu Shichun pointed out, "In a situation where the U.S. and China are in an all-around competitive relationship, the political distrust accumulated between them has resulted in the closure of hundreds of intergovernmental communication channels. Since 2018, military communication between the U.S. and China has sharply decreased. The risk of conflict between the two militaries is increasing." He explained that the weakening of military communication between the U.S. and China began in earnest two years ago when the U.S. canceled China's invitation to the U.S.-led Rim of the Pacific Exercise (RIMPAC), and that the ongoing all-around U.S.-China conflicts have caused a reduction in communication channels and an increase in the risk of clashes.

In fact, U.S. military vessels have sailed several times through the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait this year, and recently, an unusual deployment of three aircraft carriers was made. Zhu Feng, a professor of international relations at Nanjing University, also mentioned that the U.S. and China are forming a military tension relationship in the South China Sea and the Taiwan Strait, saying, "The confrontation between the two militaries does not seem accidental but intentional, which is quite concerning. Political and strategic trust is needed to prevent escalation into hostile operations."

On the 22nd (local time), Peter Navarro, Director of the White House Office of Trade and Manufacturing Policy, said, "The U.S.-China trade negotiations are over," but U.S. President Donald Trump reversed this by saying, "The trade agreement with China is completely intact. I hope it continues according to the terms of the agreement," narrowly avoiding an economic catastrophe between the U.S. and China. However, diplomatic and military conflicts between the two countries still remain a live issue.

China is preparing to embrace India, which is in a conflict relationship due to border disputes, to counter the U.S. According to the Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Wang Yi, China's State Councilor and Foreign Minister, held a video conference with the foreign ministers of Russia and India the day before and stated, "Unilateralism and protectionism are on the rise, and some countries are shifting responsibility and obstructing international cooperation on epidemic prevention." Although he did not directly mention the U.S., this was read as a condemnation of the U.S.'s attacks on China.

State Councilor Wang urged, "In this situation, it is urgent to strengthen cooperation among China, Russia, and India," and called for "upholding multilateralism, enhancing communication and coordination within the framework of the United Nations, building an open world economy, and maintaining a multilateral trade system centered on the World Trade Organization (WTO)."

China and India's defense ministers were both invited to the military parade commemorating the 75th anniversary of the victory in World War II held in Moscow on the 24th, raising the possibility that they will meet separately to ease tensions arising from their border disputes and lay the groundwork for strengthening diplomatic cooperation.

Meanwhile, while China sent a love call to Russia and India to counter the U.S., the U.S. gathered the countries of the 'Five Eyes'?a network of intelligence agencies from English-speaking countries (the U.S., Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom). The U.S. Department of Defense disclosed on its website that the Five Eyes defense ministers met via video conference on the 22nd and 23rd.

The Department of Defense stated, "The Five Eyes countries reaffirmed their recognition to advance defense and security cooperation. They also shared a common view on the importance of the roles of regional partners and institutions like Five Eyes in respecting the sovereignty of all countries in the Indo-Pacific region and creating a stable and secure community." The five ministers also agreed to meet regularly to discuss emerging security challenges and promote shared values of democracy, freedom, and respect for human rights.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.