Austin Meets with Chinese Counterpart for First Time in Two Years

The U.S. defense secretary met with his Chinese counterpart today for the first time in over two years, the Pentagon announced. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin held a video teleconference with China’s Minister of National Defense Dong Jun. The two discussed bilateral defense issues and global security dynamics, according to a Pentagon readout. Mr. Austin “emphasized the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication” between the two nations, the readout said. “During the discussion, Secretary Austin emphasized the importance of continuing to open lines of military-to-military communication between the U.S. and the People’s Republic of China,” Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder told reporters....