China has rejected a U.S. request for a meeting between their defense chiefs at an annual security forum in Singapore later this week, the Pentagon confirmed Tuesday.
Beijing informed Washington that it has declined the invitation, made in early May, for Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin to meet with China’s Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu in Singapore this week, Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement to The Hill on Tuesday.
…The United States has been trying to facilitate a conversation between Austin and Li was named defense minister in March. But relations between the two countries have remained icy since February, when the United States shot down a Chinese spy balloon that flew over the U.S., including sensitive military sites, in February.
Directly after the U.S. military shot down the balloon, Austin reached out to his former counterpart, but the call was declined.
…China’s latest rejection of a U.S. request for a meeting indicates relations are still strained between the two, despite efforts by the Biden administration to build bridges.
…Since 2021, China “has declined or failed to respond to over a dozen requests from the Department of Defense for key leader engagements, multiple requests for standing dialogues, and nearly ten working-level engagements,” the official added.
Approved ~ Primus Pilus
Free Assange
Article URL : https://thehill.com/policy/defense/4026292-china-rejects-us-request-for-meeting-of-defense-chiefs/