US Defense Secretary Says He Hasn’t Spoken to Chinese Counterpart in ‘Months’

Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin delivers a closing statement during a press conference at Ramstein Air Base in Ramstein, southwestern Germany, on Sept. 8, 2022. Andre Pain/AFP via Getty Images

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said he and his Chinese counterpart haven’t spoken for a “couple of months.”

Wei Fenghe, China’s minister of national defense, declined to take a call from Austin after the United States on Feb. 4 shot down the Chinese surveillance balloon, Austin said in a Feb. 23 interview. He emphasized that it’s “really important” for world leaders to maintain good communication in order to “avoid misperceptions and manage crises.”