Chinese People's Liberation Army soldiers. File photoWASHINGTON, Aug 6The US military command is unable to contact its Chinese counterparts amid the escalation around Taiwan, the American publication Politico reported. contact at the level of the chiefs of the general staffs of the two countries took place on July 7. At the same time, White House spokesman John Kirby said the day before that the US and Chinese military still have opportunities for communication, but the reduction in communication channels increases the risks.
China will suspend cooperation with the United States in several areasOn August 4, the Chinese army began large-scale live-fire exercises off the coast of Taiwan. This was in response to a visit to Taipei by Speaker of the US House of Representatives Nancy Pelosi. Pelosi flew to Taiwan on August 2, met with the head of the local administration, Tsai Ing-wen, and continued her Asian tour the next day, heading to Korea. This was the first visit by a speaker of the US House of Representatives to the island since 1997. China, which does not recognize the sovereignty of Taiwan and considers it its province, categorically opposes any contact between Taipei and officials and military from countries with which Beijing has diplomatic relations. The United States formally adheres to the «one China principle», but in reality not only actively contacts with the island, but also regularly supplies weapons there. In response to Taipei's decision to accept Pelosi, Beijing imposed sanctions against two Taiwanese funds, suspended the supply of natural sand and imports of citrus fruits from Taiwan and certain types of fish, and also warned that he intends to take decisive and tough measures. According to the Chinese Foreign Ministry, all the negative consequences of Pelosi's visit are yet to come and Washington and Taipei will bear responsibility for them. US involved in the crises in Ukraine and Taiwan
