Top US general Milley staunchly defends calls with China

The book detailed supposedly "secret" calls with General Li Zuocheng of the People's Liberation Army on October 30, 2020 and again on January 8, and said Milley had promised to warn China first if he were ordered to attack.

US General Mark Miley. Picture: PA

US General Mark Milley, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, fended off perhaps the most personal and direct attacks from lawmakers of his career on Tuesday as Republicans blasted his calls with China and his interviews for books critical of Donald Trump's presidency.

Milley, 63, was unshaken as Republicans called for his resignation during an already contentious hearing that was meant to focus on the chaotic US withdrawal from Afghanistan - but repeatedly swerved into questions regarding the general.