US Pentagon chief speaks for 1st time to Chinese counterpart

By ROBERT BURNS
AP National Security Writer

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has spoken with his Chinese counterpart for the first time since becoming Pentagon chief more than a year ago. The Wednesday conversation broke a communications impasse American officials saw as increasingly dangerous amid concern Beijing might provide military support for Russia’s war in Ukraine. The Pentagon says Austin and Gen. Wei Fenghe discussed U.S.-Chinese defense relations, regional security issues and Russia’s invasion. Austin calls China the U.S. military’s leading long-term challenge but has been forced to focus heavily on Russia. China’s defense ministry says Wei stressed to Austin that Taiwan is an “inalienable part” of China and they exchanged views on “maritime and air security issues.”