Chinese Ministry of Defense: Military Communications with the U.S. Have Not Stopped

The Chinese Ministry of Defense indicated today, Thursday, that military communications between Beijing and Washington "have not stopped," amidst significant tensions between the two powers regarding the South China Sea, Taiwan, and other issues. Spokesperson Wu Qian stated, "I would like to clarify that military communications between China and the United States have not stopped," noting that the relationship still faces "many difficulties and obstacles." China rejected a request from the United States for a meeting between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu on the sidelines of the Singapore Defense Forum in June. The United States imposed sanctions on Li in 2018 over allegations related to the purchase of Russian military equipment.