Pentagon chief Lloyd Austin will travel to Singapore on June 10 for the annual Shangri-La Dialogue, where he is expected to hold talks with Singapore’s Defense Minister Wei Fenghe, the media reported.
Earlier this month, Austin told the Senate Appropriations Committee that the administration recognizes the importance of dialogue with the Asian giant and keeping channels open.
A conversation between Austin and Wei becomes relevant in the current context of bilateral tensions following the statements of US President Joe Biden on Taiwan.
During his recent trip to Asia, the US president fueled the dispute when he stated that the United States would militarily defend that autonomous island if “China invaded it.”
After these statements, a White House official quickly came out to correct the president to clarify that it was not exactly what the president meant.
The Chinese government has stressed to the United States that Taiwan is an inalienable part of the country and therefore will proceed with firm actions to safeguard security and sovereignty interests in case of interference.
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