US Defense Secretary to visit China amid tensions
(Baonghean.vn) - US Secretary of Defense James Mattis will visit China next week, amid rising tensions between the two countries over Taiwan and the East Sea.
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| US Defense Secretary James Mattis is set to visit China amid tensions. Photo: AP |
According to South Korea's Yonhap news agency, Mr. Mattis announced on June 20 that he will visit Beijing and then Seoul next week. Pentagon spokesman Lieutenant Colonel Christopher Logan confirmed that Secretary of Defense Mattis "will be traveling to the region next week," adding that details of the visit will be announced on June 22.
Relations between the US and China worsened last month when Washington withdrew its invitation to Beijing to participate in the 2018 Rim of the Pacific (RIMPAC) naval exercise, in protest against China's increasing militarization activities in the East Sea.
In addition, the Taiwan issue also causes disagreement between the two countries. The head of the Pentagon once declared that the US maintains its commitment to Taiwan, saying that Washington will provide Taiwan with "the defense equipment necessary to maintain its defense."
On June 21, a representative of the South Korean Ministry of Defense said that during his visit to South Korea next week, Mr. Mattis will hold talks with his counterpart Song Young-moo to discuss the North Korea issue./.
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