Describing China as a pacing challenge to the US, Defence Secretary Llyod Austin has told American lawmakers that Beijing s aggressive behaviour in the Indo-Pacific could spark a crisis in the strategically vital region. Responding to questions from members of the Senate Armed Services Committee during a Congressional hearing on the annual budget of the Pentagon, he stressed on having a direct line of communication between the militaries and also between government officials of the two countries. As we look at some of the aggressive behaviour that we have witnessed from China in the Indo-Pacific, I m concerned about something that could happen that could spark a crisis, Austin told the lawmakers on Thursday.