Skip to main content

Is The U.S. - China Hotline Useless?

Daily Caller: ‘That’s Really Dangerous’: Defense Official Sounds Alarm After China Fails To Pick Up Crisis Hotline 

 Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe declined calls from his American counterpart after an Air Force-22 downed a Chinese spy balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Saturday, creating a “really dangerous” situation, U.S. defense officials said Thursday. 

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin tried to contact Fenghe via a special crisis line, hoping to discuss the situation and hopefully ease tensions, according to the Associated Press. 

Fenghe declined to take the call after the U.S. Air Force shot balloon down on Feb. 4, the Pentagon said following the incident. A spokesperson for China’s defense ministry said in a statement Thursday that the minister refused the call because the U.S. had “not created the proper atmosphere,” for the two parties to dialogue and had “seriously violated international norms and set a pernicious precedent,” AP reported.  

Read more ....  

Update: ‘It just rang’: In crises, US-China hotline goes unanswered (AP)  

WNU Editor: This is nothing new. The U.S. - China military hotline has been broken for the past few years as this 2021 Politico article explains .... ‘Spiral into crisis’: The U.S.-China military hotline is dangerously broken (Politico). And the problems are deeper than just not having someone answer the "hotline" .... Another 'Hotline' with China Isn't the Answer (RAND).



from War News Updates https://ift.tt/tK4Fh1Z
via IFTTT

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

U.S. Army Conducts Gunnery Exercise With Latest Air Defense System Sgt Stout.

U.S. Army officials confirmed that a live gunnery exercise at Fort Hood, Texas, is underway, featuring the latest-generation Sgt Stout short-range air defense system. The drills mark a significant step toward full operational integration as units across the force adapt to evolving threats from drones, rotary-wing aircraft, and low-flying munitions. It matters because Sgt. Stout enhances the Army’s ability to defend forward-deployed troops and critical infrastructure from modern aerial threats. Read full Defense News at this link ... A U.S. Army SGT Stout SHORAD air defense vehicle maneuvers into firing position during live-fire training with the 6th Battalion, 56th Air Defense Artillery Regiment at Fort Hood, Texas, on October 3, 2025. (Picture source: U.S. Department of War) Read More from World Defence News https://ift.tt/NYmsS1n via IFTTT

US Budget Proposal Seeks F-22 Raptor Stealth Jet Upgrades to Protect Air Dominance

 Lockheed Martin’s F-22 Raptor fighter jet is confirmed to receive major upgrades under the proposed FY2026 budget plan to ensure its sustained edge in air dominance operations, according to the U.S. Air Force Financial Management and Comptroller. Despite the emergence of sixth-generation designs, the Air Force’s dedicated $90 million budget aims to extend the Raptor’s relevance. This move underscores a broader strategy to protect critical stealth assets against evolving threats from China and Russia. It highlights a firm commitment to bridging the gap until Next Generation Air Dominance systems mature.  Read full defense News at this link.  The planned FY2026 viability upgrade marks a clear signal that the F-22 remains a backbone of U.S. air dominance doctrine (Picture source: U.S. Air Force) from World Defence News https://ift.tt/xebSkjs via IFTTT

Raytheon Australia Integrates Sidewinder Missile With NASAMS Launcher to Strengthen Air Defence

 On June 30, 2025, Raytheon Australia integrated Sidewinder Missile on NASAMS High-Mobility Launcher strengthening ground-based air defence capabilities. In a significant demonstration at the Woomera Test Range, the Australian Army’s 16th Regiment, Royal Australian Artillery, successfully fired the AIM-9 Sidewinder missile from a Hawkei High-Mobility Launcher, marking a world-first for this missile-platform pairing. This milestone underlines the growing relevance of adaptable, layered air and missile defence systems for Australia’s national security.  Read Full Defense News at this link.  The successful integration of the Sidewinder missile onto the NASAMS High-Mobility Launcher represents a tangible leap in Australia’s ground-based air defence (Picture source: Australian Army) from World Defence News https://ift.tt/XxVBQHy via IFTTT