US and China Defense Ministers Shake Hands in Singapore

U.S. Department of Defense spokesman Brigadier General Pat Ryder reported today, Friday, that U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu shook hands on the sidelines of a security summit in Singapore, although there was no "substantive dialogue" between them. He noted in a statement that the two spoke briefly, emphasizing that "the department believes in the importance of maintaining open lines of military communication with the People's Republic of China, and we will continue to seek meaningful discussions between the two militaries at multiple levels to manage the relationship responsibly."