US–China Military-to-Military Communication

As strategic rivalry between the United States and China intensifies, military-to-military (mil-mil) communication has emerged as one of the most critical stabilising mechanisms in global security. This Global Eye Intelligence report delivers a comprehensive, intelligence-led assessment of how defence dialogues, crisis hotlines, and confidence-building measures shape risk management between the world’s two most powerful militaries.

The report traces the evolution of US–China military engagement from Cold War legacies and post-1979 normalisation to contemporary frameworks such as the Military Maritime Consultative Agreement (MMCA), Defence Telephone Links, and Track 1.5 dialogues. It analyses how these mechanisms aim to prevent miscalculation during flashpoints such as Taiwan, the South China Sea, and close air and naval encounters—while highlighting why their effectiveness remains fragile.

Crucially, the analysis exposes structural challenges: deep strategic mistrust, periodic suspension of talks, competing doctrines, and the spillover of political crises into military channels. Tactical and strategic assessments show how communication failures could escalate incidents into wider conflict—impacting trade, global markets, and regional stability across the Indo-Pacific.

Great-power wars rarely begin with intent—they begin with miscalculation. Those who understand US–China military communication early will recognise escalation risks before they spiral out of control. Follow Global Eye Intelligence to stay ahead of strategic fault lines shaping global security.