Pentagon chief expresses optimism over eventual talks with Chinese counterpart

"I'm confident that, over time, that's going to happen. We're going to meet at some point in time. But again, the door is open and my phone line is open. And so they can pick up the phone and call at any time.

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin expressed optimism on Friday that he would eventually hold talks with his Chinese counterpart after being snubbed by Beijing during an event in Singapore earlier this month. "I'm confident that, over time, that's going to happen. We're going to meet at some point in time. But we're not there yet," Austin told a press conference at NATO headquarters in Brussels.

"I've not reached out since (Singapore). But again, the door is open and my phone line is open. And so they can pick up the phone and call at any time. And we will continue to work to make sure that we have open lines of communication."