U.S.-China Defense Chiefs Call Off Meeting as Tensions Rise and Communication Breaks Down

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin expressed concern over the lack of communication with China and warned it could lead to an incident spiraling out of control.
China declined requests for a meeting between U.S. and Chinese defense leaders at a security summit in Singapore.
The U.S. and allies like Japan and South Korea want closer cooperation to counter threats from North Korea and China.
China and Singapore agreed to establish a defense hotline for high-level communication even as China rejected a meeting with the U.S.
While the Biden administration seeks a reset with China, political and policy moves in Washington and Beijing's assertive military actions complicate a thaw in relations.