Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun held a video talk with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Tuesday.
Dong said that it is imperative to uphold an open attitude, maintain communication and engagement, and build a sound, stable China-U.S. military relationship that is based on equality, respect and peaceful coexistence.
He stressed the importance of respecting each other's core interests.
Any attempts or acts of interference to support Taiwan separatism with force or use Taiwan to contain China are doomed to fail, Dong said.
He said that China is committed to working with other countries in the region to safeguard peace and stability in the South China Sea, and firmly opposes acts of infringement or provocation by certain countries, as well as attempts by certain countries outside the region to stir trouble.
China always focuses on its own development, and firmly defends its legitimate rights and interests, Dong said, adding that acts of containment or deterrence against China will not succeed, nor will interference in China's affairs.
Both sides also exchanged views on other issues of mutual concern.
Chinese defense minister holds video talk with U.S. counterpart
Chinese defense minister holds video talk with U.S. counterpart
The European Union is facing the risk of a stagflationary shock as the ongoing conflict in the Middle East is driving up energy prices and clouding the economic outlook, European Commissioner for Economy Valdis Dombrovskis said on Monday.
The European Commission's spring 2026 economic forecast, to be released later this week, will see economic growth figures adjusted down and inflation figures up, said Dombrovskis during an interview while attending a meeting of finance ministers from the Group of Seven (G7) in Paris.
With the Strait of Hormuz closed and oil prices staying above 100 U.S. dollars per barrel, fears of stagflation have risen in recent weeks, said Dombrovskis, adding that the margin of action by policymakers is "more limited" now.
The commissioner said it's important that the bloc take temporary, targeted support measures rather than measures that sustain high demand for fossil fuels.
Dombrovskis also described the EU's release of strategic oil reserves as "ongoing," while warning of concerns about shortages in areas such as innovative fuels.
The International Energy Agency Executive Director, Fatih Birol, said on Monday that commercial oil stocks are declining "rapidly", with several weeks of supply left due to the consequences of the conflict in the Middle East.
Europe could face fuel shortages by the end of this month.
EU at risk of stagflation amid Middle East conflict: commissioner
