BEIJING, Nov. 21 --"Chinese and US defense ministers failed to have a one-on-one meeting at the 11th ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting Plus (ADMM-Plus) and the responsibility lies entirely with the US side," said Chinese Defense Spokesperson Senior Colonel Wu Qian when answering a media query on Thursday.
According to US media reports, a US defense official said that China refused to hold a US-China defense ministers' meeting on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' Meeting Plus because of the US arms sales to Taiwan.
Senior Colonel Wu pointed out that the US can't damage China's core interests on the Taiwan question while seeking to communicate with the Chinese military as if nothing has happened.
"It is imperative for the US to immediately correct its mistake, earnestly respect China's core interests, and strive to create favorable conditions for high-level exchanges between the two militaries," said the Chinese defense spokesperson.