CCP Committed to Undermining World Order Amid Communications Blackout, Austin Says

The nation’s top defense official said that China’s continued refusal to accept communications with the United States is a threat to national security.
Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin made the comments following the announcement that his Chinese counterpart, Li Shangfu, had refused to meet him during the upcoming Shangri-La Security Dialogue in Singapore this week, though both will be in attendance.
Regardless of the decision, Austin said, the United States remains open to communications with China.
“I think that is unfortunate,” Austin said during a June 1 press hearing in Tokyo. “I would welcome any opportunity to engage with Li.”…}