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The U.S. is considering a deal with China that will see the two countries warn each other before they launch any missiles, according to the Japanese press.
Details of the proposals were reported by Nikkei Asia, which quoted an unnamed senior U.S. State Department official in an article published on Monday. That source claimed it was hoped that the two nations “would have a reciprocal obligation to clarify what we’re doing,” and added that the pact would be similar to an existing arrangement between the U.S. and Russia.
Reports that the deal is being considered come as the U.S. and China navigate a fraught relationship amid mutual suspicion between the two countries. A diplomatic furor erupted in February when the U.S. accused China of flying a spy balloon over American airspace.
China’s designs on Taiwan and accusations of human rights abuses are also responsible for much of the frostiness in the relationship, while American fears that China may challenge its technological or trade interests have also played a role. And this summer it emerged that China was refusing to resume communication between its armed forces and the American military.
But last month, presidents Joe Biden and Xi Jinping met in California to strike a series of landmark deals, including the resumption of military-to-military dialogue.
