Tensions between the U.S. and China have escalated over the last few years.
U.S. Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin rebuked China on Saturday for refusing to hold military talks, leaving the superpowers deadlocked over Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
A senior Chinese military official struck back, saying the United States was responsible for a breakdown in dialogue by ramping up sanctions on Chinese officials and destabilizing the Asia-Pacific with its military presence.
"China-U.S. military relations are faced with difficulties and the responsibility lies entirely on the U.S. side," Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng told reporters at the summit.
"China attaches importance to developing China-U.S. military relations, and our interactions and communication have never been suspended."
Persons:
Defense Lloyd Austin, Austin, ramping, Jing Jianfeng
Organizations:
U.S, Defense, People's
Locations:
China, Taiwan, South China, People's Republic of China, Singapore, United States, Asia, U.S