The U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is scheduled to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, at a defense conference in Singapore next week. This meeting follows a phone call in April and signals a warming of relations between the two countries. The meeting comes at a crucial time as China has been conducting aggressive military drills around Taiwan, prompting the island to increase its defense readiness.
The Pentagon announced the upcoming meeting between Austin and Dong just before revealing that Austin would undergo a medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. This procedure is related to bladder issues that arose after his treatment for prostate cancer. It is unclear if Austin’s travel plans will be affected by this procedure, but the meeting with Dong is still expected to take place during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore next week.
China’s military drills around Taiwan were launched in response to the island’s new president, Lai Ching-te, calling on Beijing to cease its intimidation and recognize Taiwan’s existence. Beijing rejected these remarks as promoting separatism and initiated the military exercises. China considers Taiwan as part of its territory and has vowed to seize it by force if necessary. The U.S. has a legal obligation to ensure Taiwan’s defense capabilities, leading to cautionary statements to China not to use Taiwan’s political transition as an excuse for provocative actions.
The U.S. and China have been engaging more with each other following President Biden’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in California last November. The importance of keeping communication channels open was emphasized during the meeting. Admiral Dong, the Chinese Minister of National Defense, has been involved in discussions with Austin over various issues, including the war in Ukraine, freedom of navigation in the South China Sea, Taiwan, and North Korea. The upcoming meeting in Singapore will provide an opportunity for further dialogue between the two defense leaders.
Dong, a former naval commander, was appointed as China’s defense minister in late December after his predecessor was removed from office. Austin last met with a Chinese defense minister in November 2022 during a regional defense minister meeting in Cambodia. The upcoming meeting will be the first in-person meeting between the two defense leaders, marking a significant step in the ongoing efforts to improve relations between the U.S. and China. Despite tensions surrounding the military drills near Taiwan, both countries have shown a willingness to engage in dialogue and address key issues.
The U.S. has urged China to refrain from provocative or coercive measures in the region, particularly with regards to Taiwan. The defense official emphasized the need to maintain stability and peace in the region and avoid actions that could escalate tensions. Both countries have a shared interest in maintaining stability in the Asia-Pacific region, and the upcoming meeting between Austin and Dong will provide an opportunity to discuss mutual concerns and work towards resolving conflicts through diplomatic means. The international community will be closely watching the outcomes of this meeting and the potential impact on U.S.-China relations.
