Chinese, Australian Defense Chiefs Break Ice With ‘Frank’ Talks

(Bloomberg) — Australia Defense Minister Richard Marles said he had a “very frank and full exchange” with his Chinese counterpart on Sunday, marking the highest-level meeting between the countries in more than two years amid a flare-up in tensions.

Marles said he discussed issues including the interception of an Australian aircraft by a Chinese jet last month with Defense Minister Wei Fenghe. Both were in Singapore for the IISS Shangri-La Dialogue.