Blinken says "regrettable" that US, Chinese defense chiefs did not meet

It was "regrettable" that a possible meeting between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Chinese defense minister Li Shangfu did not go ahead, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said on Wednesday. Also read: US lawmakers ask Blinken to play role in Pakistan Speaking at a news conference in Sweden, Blinken repeated the importance of regular and open lines of communication with Beijing. "The most dangerous thing is not to communicate," he added.