Pentagon wants to organize meeting between US and Chinese defense ministers
The US Department of Defense has requested a meeting between Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu with the Chinese Defense Ministry. They may meet during the Asian Security Forum early next month.
This was reported by US Assistant Secretary of Defense Eli Ratner, Censor.NET informs with reference to Ukrinform.
On June 2, Austin is scheduled to participate in the Shangri-La dialogue in Singapore, where Li will also be present, so the American department decided to take advantage of the opportunity and sent the Chinese side a corresponding request for a meeting on the sidelines of the forum.
Ratner added that Austin has repeatedly stated the importance of open lines of communication with China and the need to "prevent misperceptions, miscalculations and crises from spiraling out of control."
Although Li Shangfu has been under US sanctions since 2018 for his involvement in the purchase of weapons, including missile systems, from Russia, Ratner said that has no legal or technical impact on his meeting with Austin.
According to the American side, China has not yet responded to the Pentagon's request.
