Thread by @Dimi

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.