US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin on Saturday said that the US will do its part to control tensions with China and prevent any future conflict as Beijing is becoming ‘increasingly aggressive in the Asian region’.
“That’s especially important as the PRC (People’s Republic of China) adopts a more coercive and aggressive approach to its territorial claims," Austin was quoted as saying by Channel NewsAsia (CNA) while addressing the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore.
The IISS Shangri-La Dialogue is Asia’s premier defence summit where defence ministers, world leaders, senior officials, as well as business leaders and security experts discuss and debate the region’s most pressing security challenges. The summit is being held in Singapore from June 10-12.
Relations between the two countries have soured due to clashes over Taiwan, China’s human rights record and military activity in the South China Sea. China continues to push its agenda on Taiwan and has warned that it will reunify the island-nation if required.
Austin reiterated the Biden administration’s promise that the US will stand with all its allies including Taiwan.
His comments came after a meeting with Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe where both ministers committed to take steps to better maintain the relationship between both countries.
Austin also highlighted the recent altercation between Chinese People’s Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) jets with those of other countries.