US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken accused her today China for “irresponsible actions” by cutting off key channels of communication with her Washingtonand said that Beijing’s recent actions in Taiwan demonstrate that it is moving away from peaceful problem-solving and moving towards the use of force.

His comments came as Chinese planes and warships staged a mock attack on Taiwan today, Taipei officials said, as part of Beijing’s move after US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit earlier this week.

He said China’s retaliation by suspending bilateral processes in eight key areas, including defense, drugs, cross-border crime and climate change, is one step that will punish the entire world, not just the US, Blinken said at a press conference in Manila. .

“These include several military channels that are critical to avoid possible misunderstandings and crises,” he said.

“The suspension of climate cooperation does not punish the US, but the world, especially the developing world. We should not be held hostage to cooperation on issues of global concern because of disagreements between our two countries.”

The fight against climate change has been an important area of ​​cooperation between the two superpowers.

Blinken said the US was listening to allies’ concerns about what he called China’s dangerous and destabilizing moves around Taiwan, but noted that Washington would remain steadfast in its handling of the situation.

The US Secretary of State said that at a regional meeting in Cambodia, he conveyed to Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi the message that the US is determined to keep communication channels open to avoid miscalculations.

“So let me be clear: The US does not believe that escalating the situation is in the interests of Taiwan, the region, or their own national security,” he said.

“We will keep channels of communication open with China to avoid escalation due to misunderstandings or misunderstandings.”

He added: “Maintaining the dialogue is perhaps even more important when we are going through a period of high tension… We are committed to reducing these tensions. And we think dialogue is a very important element in that.”

^{Source: APE-MEB, Reuters}