Blinken says he has no knowledge of status of Chinese defense minister

U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said he has no knowledge of the status of China's Defence Minister Li Shangfu, who has been missing from public view for more than two weeks, adding that these are ultimately issues for the Chinese government to decide. Reuters reported on Friday that Li has been placed under investigation by Chinese authorities, according to 10 people familiar with the matter.

"We remain fully prepared, as we've been, to engage with the Chinese government, whoever happens to be holding the positions of responsibility at a given time," Blinken told reporters at a news conference.