WASHINGTON: US Protection Secretary Lloyd Austin will meet his Chinese language counterpart, the Pentagon introduced on Friday (Could 24), after China carried out struggle video games round Taiwan in an indication to the US-backed democracy’s new chief.
The Pentagon stated that Austin would meet Chinese language Admiral Dong Jun after they attend the Could 31 to Jun 2 Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore – an annual gathering of defence officers from around the globe.
China in latest days has encircled Taiwan with warships and fighter jets in a take a look at of its skill to grab the island, which it claims. The drills comply with the inauguration of President Lai Ching-te, who has vowed to safeguard self-ruling Taiwan’s democracy.
Austin’s assembly with Dong had been broadly anticipated since Austin spoke to Dong by phone in April, in what have been the primary substantive talks between the 2 powers’ defence chiefs in practically 18 months.
President Joe Biden’s administration and China have been stepping up communication to ease friction, with Secretary of State Antony Blinken visiting Beijing and Shanghai final month.
However defence talks had lagged behind till Chinese language President Xi Jinping agreed to a resumption of navy dialogue throughout a summit with Biden in California in November.
Austin will even journey subsequent week to Cambodia for talks with defence ministers of the Affiliation of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) and finish his journey in France, the place he’ll be part of President Joe Biden in commemorations of the eightieth anniversary of D-Day.
The journey was introduced regardless that Austin plans at hand over duties quickly to his deputy, Kathleen Hicks, as a result of his newest medical process.
