The Pentagon had suggested a meeting between defense chiefs.
The Pentagon invited Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangru to meet with Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin at an annual security forum in Singapore from June 2 to 4.
The Pentagon stated, “The PRC [People’s Republic of China] informed the U.S. that they have declined our early May invitation. The Department believes strongly in the importance of maintaining open lines of military-to-military communication between Washington and Beijing to ensure that competition does not veer into conflict.”
A spokesperson for China’s Foreign Ministry said, “If the United States says it wants to communicate while suppressing and containing China by any means and imposing sanctions on Chinese officials, institutions, and enterprises, what is the sincerity and meaning of such communication?”
The Pentagon said sanctions against Li would not prevent meeting with Defense Secretary Austin.
This is not the first time China has rejected opportunities for dialogue.
As the Lord Leads, Pray with Us…
- For Defense Secretary Austin as he interacts with defense ministers from other nations.
- For Pentagon officials as they endeavor to communicate with Chinese officials.
- For wisdom for the president and his advisors as tensions with China continue to increase.
Sources: CBS News, NBC News
