"The two officials discussed the US-China defense relationship as well as regional and global security issues," the Pentagon said in a statement about the online meeting between the two defense ministers, according to AFP.
"Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of keeping the lines of military communication open between the United States and China" following talks between the two sides in recent months, the statement said.
Mr. Dong Quan (left) and Mr. Lloyd Austin
Mr. Austin also reiterated that the US will continue to "operate, safely and responsibly, wherever international law allows" and "emphasize the importance of respecting the freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, particularly in the South China Sea".
Secretary Austin's last significant interaction with a Chinese counterpart took place in November 2022, when he met with then-Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe in Cambodia, according to AFP.
Beijing halted some defense talks between the two countries in 2022 to express displeasure over a visit to Taiwan by then-US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, but US President Joe Biden and ChinesePresident Xi Jinping agreed to resume discussions at a summit in November 2023.
The US is trying to strengthen defense cooperation with allies in the Asia- Pacific region to counter China's growing influence, but also wants to maintain lines of communication with Beijing to prevent tensions from getting out of control, according to AFP.
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