communicate with the chinese by department of defense guidance in a document known as the policy dialogue system. these military-to-military communications at the highest levels are critical to the security of the united states in order to deconflict military actions, manage crisis, and prevent war between great powers armed with nuclear weapons. the calls on 30 october and 8 january were coordinated, before and after, with secretary esper and acting secretary of miller's staff and the interagency. the specific purpose of the october and january calls was generated by concerning intelligence, which caused us to believe that the chinese were worried about an attack by the united states. and last night, i briefed that intelligence in detail to the senate armed services committee and i will be happy to brief it to any member or group of members at your discretion in a classified session. >> and i know, and i am certain president trump did not intend on attacking the chinese.