Interesting that this happens when Shangri La Dialogue is on. I wonder if the transit would have happened if Li had agreed a meeting with Austin:
Pretty easy to understand why right. It’s a simple pressure tactic from China.
-America wants to talk peace, but advance its strategy of containment simultaneously.
-China says talk is cheap. Remove the sanctions first and talk as equals.
-America says you wish.
-China conducts “aggressive” maneuvers near U.S. navy and spy planes.
-America says omg they refusing to sit down, and our planes almost collided. Yea, let’s remove the sanctions, treat China as an equal partner, and have a good heart to heart.
Bet 5 bucks that’s what happens.