US: Talks with China key to curb chance of conflict

DIALOGUE between the United States and China is “essential” to avoid miscalculations that could lead to conflict, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Saturday, after Beijing rejected a formal meeting between him and his Chinese counterpart.

Austin and Li Shangfu shook hands and spoke briefly for the first time at the opening dinner of the Shangri-La Dialogue defence summit in Singapore on Friday, but the interaction fell short of the Pentagon’s hopes for a more substantive exchange.

Tensions between Washington and Beijing have soared this year over issues including Taiwan and an alleged Chinese spy balloon that was shot down by a US warplane after traversing the country.

The US defence chief is on a tour of Asia that previously took him to Japan and will also include a visit to India – part of a push by top American officials to shore up alliances and partnerships in the region to help counter Beijing.

“The United States believes that open lines of communication with the People’s Republic of China are essential – especially between our defense and military leaders,” Austin told the summit.

“The more that we talk, the more that we can avoid the misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict.”

The United States had invited Li to meet on the sidelines of the summit but Beijing