US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin spoke with his Chinese counterpart, Don Jung, according to the US Department of Defense. The ministers discussed US-China relations in the field of defense, as well as issues of regional and global security. Austin emphasized the importance of respecting freedom of navigation in international waters, guaranteed by international law, especially in the South China Sea. He also discussed Russia’s unprovoked war against Ukraine and expressed concern over recent provocations by North Korea. The Secretary reaffirmed that the US remains committed to our long-standing…