The Wall Street Journal reported that China rejected Washington’s proposal to hold a meeting of Chinese and US defense ministers this week on the sidelines of the Singapore Security Forum.
The Wall Street Journal, citing the Pentagon press service, said: “China rejected Washington’s proposal to hold a meeting between US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Secretary Li Changfu on the sidelines of the Singapore Security Forum in early June.”
Eli Ratner, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Indian and Pacific Security Affairs, has previously indicated that Beijing has not responded to Washington’s offer to host a meeting of US and Chinese defense secretaries at the Singapore Forum.
He added, “We are aware of China’s claims that Chinese Defense Minister Li Changfu is under sanctions. There is no doubt that this does not affect the interview, and the sanctions against the Chinese defense minister are not an obstacle to meeting his American counterpart.”
It is noteworthy that the International Security Forum for the Shangri-La Dialogue will be held from 2 to 4 June in Singapore.
Source: TASS
