China has declined a request by the U.S. for a meeting between their defense chiefs at an annual security forum in Singapore this weekend, media reported on Monday, a new sign of strain between the powers.
The prospect of a meeting between them was being closely watched given regional security tensions and trade disputes that have derailed plans for re-engagement by the world's two largest economies.on trade, investment and export policies in a meeting in Washington that marked the first U.S.-China cabinet-level exchange in months."At a time of rising U.S.-China tensions, General Li's refusal to meet his American counterpart will fray regional nerves even further," Storey said.
Austin and Li will be in Singapore to attend the annual Shangri-la Dialogue that opens on Friday, an informal gathering of defense officials and analysts that also plays host to a string of side meetings.Chinese officials have yet to explain Li's snub but some security analysts said Beijing's annoyance at U.S. sanctions against him was a possible reason.
Li, who security scholars say is a veteran of the People's Liberation Army modernisation effort, has been under U.S. sanctions since 2018 over the purchase of combat aircraft and equipment from Russia's main arms exporter, Rosoboronexport. Li is a member of the Central Military Commission, China's top defense body that is commanded by President Xi Jinping.
Reporting by Urvi Dugar in Bengaluru, Greg Torode in Hong Kong; Editing by Chris Reese and Deepa Babington
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