Pentagon: China declined US request for phone call between Defense Chiefs

“China has declined a US request for a phone call between U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese Defense Minister Wei Fenghe,” a Pentagon spokesman said on Tuesday reported Reuters.

Brigadier General Patrick Ryder also stated, per Reuters, “The Pentagon submitted the request for a secure call on Saturday, immediately after shooting down a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina.”

"Unfortunately, the PRC (People’s Republic of China) has declined our request. Our commitment to open lines of communication will continue," Ryder added.

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