US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin vowed Saturday that Washington would not stand for any “coercion and bullying” of its allies and partners by China while claiming that the US remains committed to maintaining the status quo on Taiwan and citing the importance of continued talks over conflicts.

Speaking at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Austin lobbied for support for Washington’s alleged vision of a “free, open, and secure Indo-Pacific within a world of rules and rights” in the course of countering growing Chinese influence in the region, forgetting to mention the US own expansion in the Indo-Pacific, including regularly sailing through and flying over the Taiwan Strait and in the South China Sea.

“We are committed to ensuring that every country can fly, sail and operate wherever international law allows,” he said. “And every country, large or small, must remain free to conduct lawful maritime activities.”

Furthermore, the US top official expressed deep concern about what he called China's reluctance to participate in military crisis management talks, underlining the importance of dialogue in preventing conflicts.

The strained relationship between the US and China, characterized by continuous US provocations in the island of Taiwan and territorial disputes in the South China Sea, has reached its lowest point in decades, according to Reuters.

Speaking at the top security summit in Asia, the Shangri-La Dialogue, Austin emphasized the necessity of open communication between US and Chinese defense and military leaders to avoid conflict and enhance stability in the Asia-Pacific region.

This comes after China's Minister of National Defense, Li Shangfu, earlier declined an invitation to meet Austin at the summit, highlighting his government's firm position against engaging in talks with the US amid the current situation. While a handshake occurred between the two officials during the conference, detailed discussions did not take place.

"A cordial handshake over dinner is no substitute for a substantive engagement," Austin said after the US-sanctioned Chinese official refused the invitation.

"I am deeply concerned that the PRC (People's Republic of China) has been unwilling to engage more seriously on better mechanisms for crisis management between our two militaries," the US Secretary of Defense said at a meeting in Singapore.

"The more that we talk, the more that we can avoid the misunderstandings and miscalculations that could lead to crisis or conflict."

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Diplomatic activity between the two countries has stagnated since US Secretary of State Antony Blinken canceled his visit to China in February following the tracking of an alleged Chinese spy balloon in the US.

In response, a spokesperson from the Chinese embassy in Washington highlighted the value of communication for mutual understanding in a statement on Friday, but the diplomat underscored a repetitive pattern of US "diplomacy".

"However, now the U.S. says it wants to speak to the Chinese side while seeking to suppress China through all possible means and continue imposing sanctions on Chinese officials, institutions and companies," the statement said.

China is scheduled to have bilateral talks with defense chiefs from twelve countries at the summit, Lieutenant General He Lei, former vice president of the Academy of Military Sciences, revealed in an interview for the Global Times.

US meddles in the South China Sea

US activity in the South China Sea, specifically in Taiwan, has deeply concerned and angered the PRC after the Biden administration intensified its relations with the Island's President Tsai Ing-wen.

The US has also paired these acts of provocation with increased military presence and joint drills with allied states in the area.

Biden's administration has pushed for a narrative, relating a possible Chinese takeover of the island to the Special Military Operation in Ukraine as he believes that this would be an indication of "how dangerous our world would become if big countries could just invade their peaceful neighbors with impunity," disregarding multiple unlawful US invasions and occupation of sovereign territory over the past decade.

On the other hand, Chinese Senior Colonel Zhao Xiaozhuo told the media at the summit that Austin's claims exacerbate instability in the region.

"It (U.S.) wants instability in Taiwan so that it can bring its soldiers to Taiwan, and earn money from selling military weapons to Taiwan," Zhao said.

The US has also strengthened its military alliance with South Korea, The Philippines, Japan, Taiwan, and Australia.

The latter of which announced its intention to acquire US nuclear-powered submarines as part of the AUKUS security pact involving the US and Britain.

The AUKUS agreement, which entails Australia spending A$368 billion ($250 billion) over three decades on the submarine program, is set to further the arms race in the Asia-Pacific region, undermining stability in the region.