US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin has said that Washington stands with the nations resisting China's "bullying behaviour," as he began bilateral talks in Australia.
China on Thursday protested the passage of a US destroyer through the Taiwan Strait in the latest move as both nations increase their naval activity in the region.
Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen visited a naval base on Monday to thank sailors and marines for their dedication to protecting the island amid renewed threats from China.
