US and China Defense Chiefs' Missed Meeting Deemed "Unfortunate" and "Regrettable"

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed disappointment over China's decision not to meet him at an upcoming security forum in Singapore, saying that communication between defense departments is crucial to prevent dangerous encounters between military aircraft. Austin also expressed concern over the recent "provocative intercept" of a US plane by a Chinese fighter jet over the South China Sea, and urged China to alter its actions. Austin made the comments during a visit to Tokyo, where he met with Japanese Defense Minister Yasukazu Hamada to discuss security cooperation and tensions with North Korea, China, and Russia.