Keeping the Peace: Why U. S. and China Need to Talk

The South China Sea has become a hotspot for tense encounters between the U. S. and China. In 2023, a Chinese fighter jet flew too close to a U. S. reconnaissance plane. This wasn't the first time. Earlier that year, another Chinese jet came dangerously close to a U. S. military aircraft. These risky moves are happening more often. The lack of direct communication between the two militaries makes things even worse. Unlike during the Cold War, when the U. S. and Soviet Union had systems to avoid accidents, there's nothing similar with China. This increases the risk of a small incident turning into a big conflict. History shows how quickly things can go wrong. In 2001, a U. S. spy plane collided with a Chinese fighter, leading to a 10-day standoff. Back then, diplomacy resolved the crisis. But today, China is more powerful and tensions are higher. It's unclear if the same diplomacy would work now. During the Cold War, the U. S. and Soviet Union had agreements to avoid accidents. They notified each other about missile launches and followed safety protocols. These measures kept things from spiraling out of control. The U. S. and China need something similar. There have been some efforts to improve communication. In 2023, President Biden and Xi Jinping agreed to re-establish military dialogue. But so far, this hasn't led to much. Communication is still weak and unreliable. One-off phone calls and hotlines aren't enough to prevent accidents. Recently, there have been signs of progress. In late 2023, China hinted at a willingness to improve military relations. Xi Jinping himself has said that military ties can help stabilize U. S. -China relations. It's a good start, but more needs to be done. The U. S. and China need to build a stronger system of communication. This isn't just about avoiding accidents. It's about ensuring peace and stability in the region. Without it, the risk of conflict will continue to grow.