US Defense Secretary Austin expected to meet with Chinese counterpart in Singapore

By TARA COPP and DIDI TANG
Associated Press

WASHINGTON (AP) — Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to meet with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun at a major defense conference in Singapore next week. The announcement came shortly before Austin underwent a medical procedure on Friday evening and temporarily transferred power to his deputy. The procedure was successful and Austin had resumed duty. The U.S. and China have gradually worked to warm relations. The conference comes as China has engaged in aggressive military drills around Taiwan in response to Taiwan inaugurating a new president. Beijing accused the new leader of being separatist and launched drills in response.