Washington

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is planning to hold talks with Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun in Singapore on the sidelines of a security conference, the Pentagon said.

Austin will depart next week for a visit to Singapore, Cambodia, and France, the Department of Defense said in a statement.

Austin will meet in person with his Chinese counterpart for the first time since November 2022. He had last met then Chinese defense minister Wei Fenghe during the ASEAN Defense Minister’s Meeting-Plus in Phnom Penh in November 202 for the (ADMM-Plus).

Earlier in April, the US defense secretary held discussions via video teleconference with Admiral Dong Jun.

The announcement of the Austin’s visit to the Indo-Pacific area came ahead of statement by the Pentagon that he will undergo a medical procedure.

Later Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder in an update said that Austin underwent a successful, elective, and minimally invasive follow-up non-surgical procedure related to his bladder issue at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, Later Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said that. During that period, Deputy Secretary of Defense Kathleen Hicks assumed the functions and duties of Austin.

Secretary Austin subsequently resumed his functions and duties as the Secretary of Defense at 8:25 p.m. ET and has returned home, the Pentagon press secretary said.

Meanwhile, Austin’s upcoming visit, which marks his tenth trip to the Indo-Pacific comes at a time of heightened tensions with respect to Taiwan.