June 2, 2023

Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin shook hands with his Chinese counterpart, Li Shangfu, at a dinner in Singapore Friday, underscoring the U.S.’s effort to maintain relations with China amidst growing tension between the two superpowers.

“The two leaders shook hands but did not have a substantive exchange,” said Pentagon Press Secretary Brig. Gen. Patrick Ryder in a statement. He emphasized U.S. efforts to maintain “open lines of military-to-military communication” with China.

The two were not expected to meet at all during the annual defense and security forum that brought Austin to Singapore, after China rejected a U.S. invitation for a meeting.

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