Lloyd Austin's remarks came after Beijing declined an official invitation for a meeting with his Chinese counterpart on the sidelines of Asia's top defense summit.

Under growing pressure from the West, China has been doubling down on its close partnership with Russia in recent weeks. But experts say Beijing is still trying to use a "double-track approach" to maximize its interests.

Elon Musk, Chief Executive of Tesla, is making a visit to China this week. As the electric vehicle company's second-largest market and a crucial player in its supply chain, the country holds significant importance for Tesla. After a meeting with the Chinese foreign minister, Musk was reported to have expressed his opposition to the idea of "decoupling" the world's two leading economies.

Clashes have erupted between protesters and police in southwest China over plans to raze parts of a mosque. The authorities are now asking the demonstrators to turn themselves in.

Three more astronauts are on their way to China's Tiangong space station, key to Beijing's plans of building a moon base by 2030.

As Sudan's warring generals make and break ceasefire agreements, tens of thousands of people continue to flee the country. People from the violence-stricken Darfur region in particular seek help — and hope — in Chad.

The memorandums of understanding were signed during Russian Prime Minister Mikhail Mishustin's visit to Beijing.

The US is seeking to deter Pacific island nations from forming security ties with China. Analysts say Pacific countries are forced into a balancing act as they try to safeguard their own interests.

The Central Asian summit is being held in China's Xian city at the same time as the rival G7 summit in Japan. The meeting in China comes as Beijing seeks to build its influence in the region.

Experts say they are skeptical about the G7's ability to come up with a coordinated response to China's expanding economic power and military might.

The Chinese president has promised to bolster economic and infrastructure projects in the region at a "milestone" meeting with leaders from former Soviet states in the region.

Russia sanctions focusing on its $5 billion diamond industry is on the agenda as the seven leading democratic economies come together in Hiroshima, Japan. China's economic influence is also up for discussion.