A meeting of defense leaders in Laos took place on Thursday, and included Southeast Asian defense chiefs, China, the United States and other partner nations. Despite China and the US both being in Laos for the meeting,

The Chinese defense ministry declined an invitation for a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, who is in the Pacific region this week, the latest hurdle in a rocky relationship between the defense leaders of both countries.

Many Southeast Asian nations are looking for assurances from the U.S. before President-elect Donald Trump's return to power in January.

China's defense minister declined a meeting with U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin during a meeting of defense leaders in Laos, a move the Pentagon chief said on