China Declines Meeting with US Defense Secretary

Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun declined a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Laos, a decision Austin described as 'unfortunate' and a setback for regional security dialogue. Austin emphasized the importance of communication between the U.S. and China, highlighting that such interactions reassure the region amid increasing maritime disputes, particularly in the South China Sea. The decision is reportedly influenced by recent U.S. arms sales to Taiwan, which China condemned as a violation of its sovereignty. Austin had previously met with Dong in Singapore, where they discussed significant differences on issues like Taiwan but stressed the need for ongoing military communication. The absence of a meeting reflects the ongoing tensions in U.S.-China relations, exacerbated by issues such as territorial claims and military actions in the region. Other nations participating in the talks raised concerns about destabilizing actions by China in maritime disputes with Southeast Asian countries.