Current:Home > FinanceChina declines invitation to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin-LoTradeCoin
China declines invitation to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin
View Date:2024-12-23 21:25:00
China declined an invitation for its minister of defense to meet with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on the sidelines of an annual international defense summit in Singapore later this week, the Pentagon said late Monday.
"The [People's Republic of China] informed the U.S. that they have declined our early May invitation for Secretary Austin to meet with PRC Minister of National Defense Li Shangfu in Singapore this week," Pentagon press secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder said in a statement.
Both Austin and Li are scheduled to travel to Singapore to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue on June 2-4 and give remarks. Austin met with Li's predecessor on the sidelines of the summit last year, but Austin has not spoken with Li since he assumed his position in March 2023.
"I have reached out to my counterpart on a number of occasions," Austin told Congress earlier this month. "There's a new minister of defense in the seat now. I've reached out to him. I've sent him a letter and — and I offered to talk as well. I'll continue to do that. I think that's critical."
The invitation from the Pentagon was part of the Biden administration's push to restore communications between high-level officials after tensions stemming from the Chinese spy balloon, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi's visit to Taiwan, and Russia's ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
Earlier this month, National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan met with China's top diplomat Wang Yi in Vienna, Austria, and Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo met with her Chinese counterpart in Washington, D.C.
A senior defense official said late Monday that since 2021, China has declined or failed to respond to over a dozen requests from the Department of Defense for key leader engagements, multiple requests for standing dialogues, and nearly ten working-level engagements.
The Wall Street Journal first reported on Monday China rejected the U.S. invitation.
Ryder in his statement said the Pentagon will continue to seek open lines of communication with Chinese counterparts at multiple levels "as part of responsibly managing the relationship."
- In:
- Lloyd Austin
- China
CBS News reporter covering the Pentagon.
TwitterveryGood! (9)
Related
- Maryland man wanted after 'extensive collection' of 3D-printed ghost guns found at his home
- Horoscopes Today, November 1, 2024
- Georgia judge rejects GOP lawsuit trying to block counties from accepting hand-returned mail ballots
- Harris and Trump will both make a furious last-day push before Election Day
- Gold is suddenly not so glittery after Trump’s White House victory
- 'Trump Alleged Shooter' sends letter to Palm Beach Post
- Will the 'khakis' be making a comeback this Election Day? Steve Kornacki says 'we'll see'
- Critics Say Alabama’s $5 Billion Highway Project Is a ‘Road to Nowhere,’ but the State Is Pushing Forward
- Shawn Mendes quest for self-discovery is a quiet triumph: Best songs on 'Shawn' album
- Federal Court Ruling on a Reservoir Expansion Could Have Big Implications for the Colorado River
Ranking
- Food prices worried most voters, but Trump’s plans likely won’t lower their grocery bills
- Indiana, BYU join top 10 as Clemson, Iowa State tumble in US LBM Coaches Poll shakeup
- Disadvantaged Communities Are Seeing a Boom in Clean Energy Manufacturing, but the Midwest Lags
- Off the Grid: Sally breaks down USA TODAY's daily crossword, Save the Day (Freestyle)
- Travis Kelce's and Patrick Mahomes' Kansas City Houses Burglarized
- Florida’s convicted killer clown released from prison for the murder of her husband’s then-wife
- Instagram video blurry? Company heads admits quality is degraded if views are low
- Competing Visions for U.S. Auto Industry Clash in Presidential Election, With the EV Future Pressing at the Border
Recommendation
-
'Survivor' 47, Episode 9: Jeff Probst gave players another shocking twist. Who went home?
-
Trump will rally backers every day until the election in North Carolina, a swing state he won twice
-
Shootings kill 2 and wound 7 during Halloween celebrations in Orlando
-
The man who took in orphaned Peanut the squirrel says it’s ‘surreal’ officials euthanized his pet
-
Joan says 'Yes!' to 'Golden Bachelorette' finale fantasy beach proposal. Who did she pick?
-
EPA Gives Chicago Decades to Replace Lead Pipes, Leaving Communities at Risk
-
Federal Court Ruling on a Reservoir Expansion Could Have Big Implications for the Colorado River
-
When does the new season of 'Yellowstone' come out? What to know about Season 5, Part 2 premiere