Singapore

Amid security disputes ranging from Taiwan to contested waters, US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Minister of National Defence General Wei Fenghe held talks on the sidelines of the Shangri-La Dialogue security summit.

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Seeking to avoid misunderstandings, the first in-person talks since the start of President Joe Biden's administration comes as Washington seeks to shift its foreign policy focus back to the region from the Ukraine war.

While Austin tweeted about the talks, Wei called the discussion "honest and sincere" and said it went "smoothly".

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With Beijing vowing to "smash" any "independence plot" in Taiwan, both the defence ministers clashed over Taipei Lloyd told Fenghe that China must "refrain from further destabilising actions toward Taiwan".

While China claims Taiwan as a part of its territory, the US supports Taiwan's claim of independence and Biden has confirmed that Washington will support it if it is attacked.

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The two superpowers have also locked horns over Russia's invasion of Ukraine. While China has supported Russia, the US is providing aid and weapons to Ukraine.

During a telephonic conversation, Austin was told not to use Ukraine's invasion to "smear, frame, threaten or pressure China" by Wei.

Other than Taiwan and Russia's invasion of Ukraine, China and the US have also clashed over Beijing's expansive claims in the South China Sea.

(With inputs from agencies)

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