CCP Warns Senior U.S. Generals Against ‘Arbitrary Provocations’

The world’s top two economies have gone head-to-head on a range of controversial issues, from China’s assertion of Taiwan’s status and Russia’s invasion of Ukraine to the wider competition for influence in the Asia-Pacific. The Pentagon said that General Mark Milley, chairman of the U.S. Army Joint Chiefs of Staff, has spoken with General Li Zuocheng, the head of the Chinese Joint Chiefs of Staff.

“General Milley discussed the need to responsibly manage competition and maintain open lines of communication.,” Milley’s spokesman said in a statement. General Milley highlighted the significance of the PLA’s substantive dialogue on improving crisis communication and reducing strategic risk.

Several regional and global security issues were also discussed productively during the call. China’s Defense Ministry quoted Premier Li Keqiang’s saying that the two militaries should adhere to mutual respect and objectivity, further strengthen dialogue, control risks, and promote cooperation, “rather than deliberately creating confrontation and provoking incidents.” Li Keqiang added that China has no room for compromise or concessions on issues involving its core interests.

If anyone provokes arbitrarily, it will inevitably be met with a resolute counterattack from the Chinese people. Li Keqiang also reiterated his call for the United States to stop military relations with Taiwan and “avoid any impact on China-US relations and the stability of the Taiwan Strait.” He added that China’s military will resolutely defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity.

CCP has been ramping up military activity around Taiwan, seeking to pressure the democratically elected government there to accept Communist China’s sovereignty. Taiwanese government states only the 23 million people on the island can decide Taiwan’s future, and although it wants peace, it will defend itself if attacked.