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China is using military hotlines as a way to build mutual militarytrust with other countries.

Telephones have been a convenientand efficient means of communicat-ing since they were invented in thelate 19th century. Today, governmentsuse military hotlines for instant access totop-level military leaders in other countriesin times of crisis. But they also believe hot-lines can be used to promote greater com-munication with and a better understandingof other military leaders.