過去兩週內中國空軍和海軍分別在南中國海與台灣海峽跟美國軍機以及軍艦玩誰先怂遊戲。對此，日前美國國安會發言人克比做出「宣示」(請見下面《金融時報》報導)。

所謂「適當步驟」是標準的「外交辭令」，或者說：屁話一句。因為，美國政府或軍方根本沒招可使。任何具體行動都有「擦槍走火」的風險，導致事態升高或引發台海危機。在俄烏戰爭僵持不下，烏軍揚言「反攻」之際，美國政府沒有兩面作戰的本錢和彈藥。

在俄烏戰爭百熱化，巴爾幹半島劍拔弩張，中東局勢再度升溫等現實下，美國政府不得不力求降低美、中之間或台灣海峽的緊張氣氛。下文指出：美方在「氣球事件」取消原定的布林肯國務卿訪中行程後，中國已經一再拒絕他重新訪問北京的要求。中國在玩「以挑釁逼協商」的老戲碼。但美國政府想跟中國坐下來談，必須先做出一些實質上的讓步。如果美方死不認錯，我預測中國海、空軍會繼續把「誰先怂」遊戲玩下去。


US prepared to address ‘aggressiveness’ of Chinese military

Warning comes after Beijing conducted two ‘unsafe’ intercepts of American forces

Felicia Schwartz, 06/06/23 

The US is prepared to address China’s “increasing level of aggressiveness” in the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea after Beijing conducted two “unsafe” intercepts in recent days, a senior official said on Monday.

The warning from John Kirby, National Security Council spokesperson, underscores increasing US alarm over dangerous interactions between US and Chinese forces in international air and sea lanes. It comes as Beijing has rebuffed American attempts to re-establish military communications between the countries.

Kirby said the intercepts were “part and parcel” of an “increasing level of aggressiveness” by China’s People’s Liberation Army, particularly in the area around the Taiwan Strait and South China Sea.

“We’re prepared to address it,” Kirby added, describing China’s actions in recent days as “unacceptable”.

“They have happened with more frequency than we’d like,” he said of the intercepts. “Not all of them are unsafe and unprofessional, but these two were.”

Kirby’s comments came after the US Navy on Sunday released a video of what it described as an “unsafe interaction” in the Taiwan Strait, where a Chinese warship passed in front of a US destroyer. Last week, the Pentagon accused a Chinese fighter jet of an “unnecessarily aggressive manoeuvre” over the South China Sea.

China has warned western militaries to stay out of waters and airspace near its borders if they want to avoid dangerous run-ins with the PLA.

Chinese foreign ministry spokesperson Wang Wenbin on Tuesday accused the US of “bullying” around China’s territorial airspace and waters, saying Washington’s “provocations” were “the root cause of air and water security issues”.

Kirby said on Monday that such episodes could lead to miscalculation and urged Beijing to participate in US efforts to restart military talks. He added the US was operating in international territory and would continue to do so where permitted by law.

Two senior US officials — assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific affairs Daniel Kritenbrink and National Security Council senior director for China and Taiwan affairs Sarah Beran — met Chinese officials in Beijing on Monday as part of Washington’s efforts to step up engagements to manage the relationship between the powers.

The officials raised concerns about the intercepts and also discussed efforts to improve communication between Beijing and Washington.

“The two sides had candid and productive discussions as part of ongoing efforts to maintain open lines of communication and build on recent high-level diplomacy between the two countries,” the state department said.

CIA director Bill Burns travelled to China last month to try to stabilise the fraying diplomatic ties, the Financial Times reported last week.

Meanwhile, the Biden administration has been trying to reschedule a trip to Beijing that secretary of state Antony Blinken abruptly cancelled after China sent an alleged spy balloon over the US earlier this year. Beijing has refused to allow the trip to go ahead.

Chinese defence minister Li Shangfu also declined to meet US defence secretary Lloyd Austin at a conference in Singapore this past weekend because Washington has refused to lift sanctions on him, although the pair shook hands and exchanged pleasantries during a dinner at the event.

In his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Austin criticised China for the recent air incidents.

Additional reporting by Maiqi Ding in Beijing