Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu met face-to-face and shook hands Friday during the opening dinner of the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
“This is far from the first time that [China] has rejected invitations to communicate from the secretary, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff or other department officials,” the official said. “Frankly, it’s just the latest in a litany of excuses [not to engage.]”
But the silent treatment is something the Biden administration wants to change, as evidenced by the many attempts the Pentagon has made to reach out to Beijing. The handshake. Defense Secretary Austin walks over to Chinese Defense Minister Li Shangfu to say hello at the
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