US Says Talks with China ‘Essential’ to Curb Risk of Conflict

News Snapshot:

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Saturday it was “essential" to renew dialogue with China to avoid “misunderstandings" that could lead to a conflict between the two superpowers. The United States had invited Austin’s Chinese counterpart Li Shangfu to meet on the sidelines of a defence summit in Singapore, but the Pentagon said Beijing declined. A member of China’s delegation told AFP that the removal of US sanctions on its minister is a precondition for talks. “The United States believes that open lines of communication with the People’s Republic of China are essential — especially between our defence and...