US, Chinese defence chiefs talk for first time in more than 2 years
- The video call between Lloyd Austin and Dong Jun, who was appointed defence minister in December, is the latest sign of a thaw in US-China relations
- Austin ‘underscored the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea’
After an extended chill between the two militaries, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with China’s defence minister, Admiral Dong Jun, on Tuesday, the first such communication with his Chinese counterpart in over two years and the first time since Dong was appointed in December.
Dong and Austin discussed US-China “defence relations and regional and global security issues” during their video call, a Pentagon spokesman said. “Secretary Austin also emphasised the importance of respect for high seas freedom of navigation guaranteed under international law, especially in the South China Sea.”
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Austin also “reiterated that the United States remains committed to our long-standing one China policy, which is guided by the Taiwan Relations Act,” the spokesman said, “and he reaffirmed the importance of peace and stability across the strait.”
