Lloyd Austin said the US was committed to a constructive relationship with China, but took aim at Beijing’s conduct. China US
United States Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has slammed China over its aggression in the South China Sea and towards Taiwan, but says his focus is on enhancing ties in the Indo-Pacific and military capability in a bid to “deter anyone that would make the mistake of taking us on”.
Austin, who is also taking in Vietnam and the Philippines on a sweep through a region he said was his department’s top strategic priority, was speaking a day after the latest frosty talks between US Deputy Secretary of State Wendy Sherman and Chinese Vice Foreign Minister Xie FengWhile tensions remain high, Austin said the US was committed to avoiding conflict with China.
Austin did not provide such a timeline himself but said Chinese leader Xi Jinping “had been vocal about what his interests are going forward and I think we have to take him for his word”. While Sherman met leaders in Jakarta, Bangkok and Phnom Penh in early June, Austin’s visit to the region is the first by a Biden cabinet member.
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