While much of the world remains focused on Ukraine, it’s also been a busy week when it comes to U.S. policy in the Asia-Pacific.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has finally spoken to China’s defense minister — after about 15 months of trying.
Austin has repeatedly sought a conversation with another military leader — China’s top general — who is also a vice chair of the central committee of the Communist Party’s politburo.
That call still hasn’t happened, but Tuesday’s talk with the defense minister marked the highest-level conversation between the two militaries since the Biden Administration took office.
Austin called it a “follow-up” to a talk President Biden had last month with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
The Chinese side said topics included Ukraine, and “maritime and air security issues.”
Another area of concern for the U.S. that was not on that list is the Solomon Islands.
This week brought confirmation that China has signed a security deal with the Pacific Island country — which may eventually lead to a Chinese naval base there.
The top U.S. officials on Asia in the White House and the State Department are now on a mission visiting the Solomon Islands — along with Fiji and Papua New Guinea.
And it’s not just the executive branch of government that’s on the road in Asia lately.
Late last week half a dozen members of Congress made an unannounced visit to Taiwan.
The bi-partisan delegation met with President Tsai Ing-wen and expressed support for the island’s government and its democracy.
