US secretary of defense Lloyd Austin said Saturday it was “essential” to renew dialogue with China to avoid “misunderstandings” that could lead to a conflict between the two superpowers. The United States had invited Austin’s Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu to meet on the sidelines of a defence summit in Singapore, but the Pentagon said Beijing declined.
A member of China’s delegation told AFP that the removal of US sanctions on its minister is a precondition for talks.
“The United Statesbelieves that open lines of communication with the People’s Republic of China are essential — especially between our defence and military leaders,” Austin told theShangri-La Dialogue. “The more that we talk, the more that we can avoid the misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict. ”Austin is on a tour of Asia that previously took him to Japan and will also include a visit to India — part of a push to shore up regional alliances and partnerships to help counter a more assertive China and an increasingly bellicose North Korea.
Asenior US state department official will travel to China next week, the department said on Saturday, reports Reuters.
US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink will discuss “key issues in the bilateral relationship”during his visit to China, the state department said in a statement. He will be joined by White House National Security Council senior director for China and Taiwan Affairs Sarah Beran.
A member of China’s delegation told AFP that the removal of US sanctions on its minister is a precondition for talks.
“The United Statesbelieves that open lines of communication with the People’s Republic of China are essential — especially between our defence and military leaders,” Austin told theShangri-La Dialogue. “The more that we talk, the more that we can avoid the misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict. ”Austin is on a tour of Asia that previously took him to Japan and will also include a visit to India — part of a push to shore up regional alliances and partnerships to help counter a more assertive China and an increasingly bellicose North Korea.
Asenior US state department official will travel to China next week, the department said on Saturday, reports Reuters.
US assistant secretary of state for East Asian and Pacific Affairs Daniel Kritenbrink will discuss “key issues in the bilateral relationship”during his visit to China, the state department said in a statement. He will be joined by White House National Security Council senior director for China and Taiwan Affairs Sarah Beran.