SCOOP – #China refusing to take call from US defense secretary #LloydAustin (@SecDef) who has made 3 requests. General Mark Milley, chairman of joint chiefs, has also not spoken to his Chinese counterpart since @JoeBiden took office on.ft.com/3bFeLnF
Austin is pushing to talk to General Xu Qiliang, vice-chair of the Central Military Commission & Politburo member, and not the less powerful defense minister Wei Fenghe
White House has debated what Austin should do. Some officials oppose any contact with the defence minister. Others say Austin could meet the minister and tell him that he wants to hold talks with the top brass, General Xu.
There was some discussion about Austin meeting Wei at the @IISS_org Shangri-la Dialogue defense forum in Singapore next month. But Austin decided against because he wants to speak to General Xu instead.(Event then got cancelled because of Covid concerns).
There is a growing view inside the Biden administration that meetings must be with members of the Politburo who are closer to Xi Jinping, as otherwise there is little chance of having real negotiations that could produce results.
Bottom line for now: Anyone who was holding out for a military version of the Alaska meeting (paging @nathanking) can put away their fishing rods.

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More from @Dimi

9 Apr
#SCOOP - Biden administration has relaxed restrictions on US officials meeting counterparts from #Taiwan, in yet another example that taking tough stance towards Beijing. #China on.ft.com/3mAWdJC
US officials will be able to meet Taiwanese officials at federal government offices, and also at the de facto Taiwanese embassy and consulates across the US.
In one big change, US officials can attend events at Twin Oaks, which served as the Republic of China (Taiwan) ambassador's residence until the US switched diplomatic recognition from Taipei to Beijing four decades ago.
Read 7 tweets
10 Jul 20
Anthony #Fauci tells @FT he has not briefed @realDonaldTrump in two months and not seen him at the White House since early June.

ft.com/content/57834c…
On a good day, I get 100 RTs. This one has 2400 & rising so #Fauci seems to be resonating - except with Trump. Hats off to my colleague @hannahkuchler who did the interview.

on.ft.com/3fiONGa
On another important note, 4 hours away from #GinOClock (after a hiatus last week). I am mulling options. I know @SpiegelPeter @EmerRocke @SiCarswell @suzannelynch1 @BrianOD_News & @DanMulhall have views. Rest of you?
Read 6 tweets

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