US Pentagon chief speaks with Chinese counterpart for first time since November 2022
WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with China’s national defense minister Tuesday morning, in the latest in a series of U.S. steps to improve communications with the Chinese military and reduce unsafe and aggressive incidents in the Indo-Pacific.
It was the first time Austin has talked to Adm. Dong Jun and the first time he has spoken at length with any Chinese counterpart since November 2022. The call, which lasted a bit more than an hour, comes as Secretary of State Antony Blinken is expected to travel to China this month for talks.
Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder, Pentagon press secretary, said that Austin “emphasized the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication” between the United States and the People’s Republic of China. And he underscored the importance of respect for freedom of navigation on the seas, especially in the South China Sea.
Related articles
- Kid Rock wielded a gun, hurled racial slurs, and instigated a physical altercation with a reporter,2024-05-21
US — Chinese military planners gear up for new kind of warfare
As their rivalry intensifies, U.S. and Chinese military planners are gearing up for a new kind of wa2024-05-21- PHOENIX (AP) — Arizona was already expected to be one of the most closely contested states in Novemb2024-05-21
Pakistani police search for gunmen who abducted bus passengers and killed 10 in the southwest
QUETTA, Pakistan (AP) — Pakistani police are searching for gunmen who killed eight people after abdu2024-05-21National Television Awards 2024 nominations: Michelle Keegan and Leo Woodall go head
Britain's most popular TV awards are back, with 15 categories announced in the longlist on Tuesday.H2024-05-21California man sentenced to 40 years to life for fatal freeway shooting of 6
SANTA ANA, Calif. (AP) — A California man was sentenced Friday to 40 years to life for the fatal sho2024-05-21
atest comment