Georgetown University professor Matthew Kroenig joined ‘FOX & Friends’ to discuss why China is bolstering its hacking efforts against the U.S. and what that could mean for the future. Top-level U.S.-Chinese communications have been re-established after months of antagonism and pointed silence, marking a significant step towards improving relations between the two nations. The recent phone call between Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman General Charles “CQ” Brown Jr. and General Liu Zhenli of the People’s Liberation Army’s Joint Staff Department indicates a willingness to engage in substantive dialogue and reduce misunderstandings.
“We’ve been clear about the importance of opening lines of military to military communications with the PRC at the senior most levels. However, it’s just one step, an important step, but it’s not the last step,” a senior U.S. official stated. This sentiment highlights the cautious optimism surrounding the development, emphasizing that further discussions and engagements are necessary to fulfill the agreements made between President Biden and Chairman Xi in November.
During the call, the two leaders addressed various global and regional security issues, with Gen. Brown emphasizing the importance of responsible competition management, avoidance of miscalculations, and the maintenance of open and direct lines of communication. The re-establishment of high-level communications follows a period of strained relations between the United States and China, triggered by then-Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in August 2022. China swiftly responded by terminating several diplomatic collaborations, including these types of phone calls.
The change of heart can be attributed to President Biden’s persistent appeals to Chinese Communist Party leader Xi Jinping. The U.S. official noted that Biden’s meetings with Xi, both in November 2022 and last month on the sidelines of the Asian-Pacific Economic Cooperation conference, played a crucial role in prioritizing direct communication between the U.S. and Chinese leadership.
The resumption of these high-level communications is seen as an important step towards avoiding misunderstandings and miscalculations. The U.S. official emphasized the significance of open channels of communication for fostering better relations and underscored that the recent phone call is just one part of the ongoing efforts.
The re-establishment of U.S.-Chinese high-level communications offers hope for improved relations between the two nations. While cautious optimism surrounds this development, further discussions and engagements are needed to ensure the fulfillment of agreements and to promote a more stable and cooperative relationship.
