US and China Defense Chiefs May Meet Face-to-Face for First Time in 3 Years... Summit Planned in Singapore Next Month

Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense [Photo by Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy New York=Special Correspondent Joselgina] The defense chiefs of the United States and China are planning a face-to-face meeting for the first time in three years. If the meeting takes place, the Taiwan issue is expected to be the main agenda.

The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 30th (local time), citing sources, that the two countries are coordinating a separate meeting during the Asia Security Conference (Shangri-La Dialogue) to be held in Singapore next month.

Lloyd Austin, U.S. Secretary of Defense, announced that he will attend the Shangri-La Dialogue held from June 10 to 12 this year. In the case of Wei Pinghe, China's Minister of National Defense, attendance is not officially confirmed but sources said he intends to participate. If the meeting between the two takes place, it will be the first face-to-face meeting in about three years since November 2019. Previously, the two sides held a phone call in April to discuss the Taiwan issue, South China Sea matters, and the Ukraine situation.

In particular, the face-to-face meeting between the U.S. and China defense chiefs is drawing more attention as it is being coordinated amid heightened tensions between the two countries over Taiwan. U.S. President Joe Biden recently suggested the possibility of U.S. military intervention if China invades Taiwan during his visit to Japan. China strongly opposed this immediately afterward.

WSJ reported, "The face-to-face meeting is not yet confirmed," but added, "(If it happens) the Taiwan issue will be the most important agenda."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.