US defense secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, at a major defense conference in Singapore next week, the Pentagon announced Friday.
It will be the first meeting between the two defense leaders following a phone call in April. The meeting comes as the US and China have gradually worked to warm relations, which had been largely frozen since a controversial visit to Taiwan by former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi in 2022 led to China temporarily stopping most military-to-military communications.
The Pentagon said Austin would undergo a medical procedure at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center on Friday evening and transfer power temporarily to his deputy. Austin is dealing with bladder issues that arose in December following his treatment for prostate cancer.
Austin and Dong are expected to meet during the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore next week, an annual meeting of defense ministers and government officials from more than 50 countries. The meeting between the two leaders comes amid escalating military drills by China around Taiwan after the island’s new president, Lai Ching-te, was inaugurated.
The US has cautioned China against using Taiwan’s political transition as a pretext or excuse for provocative measures. China has engaged in military exercises around Taiwan, prompting a response from Taiwan and the US to ensure the island’s defense.
The leaders of both countries began engaging more after President Biden hosted Chinese President Xi Jinping in November and emphasized the importance of open communication.
The meeting in Singapore holds significance as it marks the continued efforts to improve relations between the US and China, especially amidst heightened tensions in the region.
