China still open to defense chief dialogue with US

CHINA and the United States are "communicating and coordinating" with each other on bilateral exchanges on the sidelines of the Asean Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus (ADMM-Plus), said the Chinese Defense Ministry on Sunday morning, as experts said that to what extent the meeting would bring positive outcomes that could benefit regional and world peace and stability depends on whether or not the US military will implement US President Joe Biden's reaffirmed promise of not seeking conflict with China.

"The Chinese side holds a positive and open attitude toward exchanges with the US side during the Asean Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus," said Senior Col. Tan Kefei, spokesman for the Ministry of National Defense, when responding to a question that if the defense ministers of the two countries would hold talks on the sidelines of the ADMM-Plus in Cambodia. Tan said the relevant departments of the two sides "are maintaining communication and coordination" in this regard.