China snubs US invitation for defence meeting in Singapore

China rejected a US proposal for a meeting in Singapore between Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu, according to the Pentagon. The refusal to engage in military-to-military discussions raised concerns but the US Department of Defence remains committed to pursuing open lines of communication with the People’s Liberation Army.

Pentagon spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder said…

“Overnight, the PRC (People’s Republic of China) informed the US that they have declined our early May invitation for Secretary Austin to meet with PRC Minister of National Defence Li Shangfu in Singapore this week.”

Ryder added that China’s reluctance to participate in such discussions would not deter the US Defence Department’s efforts to establish communication with the…