U.S. proposes defense talks with China next week, official says

Pentagon sees Asian allies hoping for more Washington-Beijing dialogue

U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd James Austin III takes part in a news conference during a NATO Defense Ministers' meeting at the Alliance's headquarters in Brussels on Oct. 11. © Reuters

RYO NAKAMURA, Nikkei staff writer

November 7, 2023 12:00 JST

WASHINGTON -- U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin is seeking a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of a security forum in Indonesia next week, a senior U.S. defense official said on Monday, as the two countries attempt to thaw their tense relations.

The Pentagon has requested a meeting with a Chinese defense minister in Jakarta, the official told a small group of reporters. Austin is scheduled to attend the ASEAN Defense Ministers Plus conference on Nov. 16. China is expected to send a delegation to the forum.