U.S. defense chief concerned about China 'rehearsal' incursions on Taiwan

Lack of rules for cyber, outer space pose risk of conflict: Austin

20211205N Sec of Defense Austin

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin attends a NATO meeting in Brussels. © Reuters

RYO NAKAMURA, Nikkei staff writer

WASHINGTON -- China's continued incursions into Taiwan's air defense zone could be a rehearsal for an eventual invasion of the island, U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin says, warning of the need for dialogue with his counterparts in Beijing and the threat of an accidental conflict between the two powers.

Austin delivered the keynote address Saturday at the Reagan National Defense Forum in California and made the remarks afterward in a Q&A session with the moderator.

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