US defense chief slams China’s drive for hypersonic weapons

By HYUNG-JIN KIM and KIM TONG-HYUNG
Associated Press

SEOUL, South Korea (AP) — America’s defense chief has rebuked China, vowing to confront its potential military threats in Asia and warning that its pursuit of hypersonic weapons intended to evade U.S. missile defenses “increases tensions in the region.” U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin’s stern comments after annual security talks with South Korea are a window into one of the Biden administration’s top foreign policy worries: How should Washington and its partners contain a Chinese military that is strengthening _ both in sheer firepower and in confidence _ as it pursues an end of American dominance in Asia? Austin’s comments were directed at China’s July test of a hypersonic weapon capable of partially orbiting Earth before reentering the atmosphere and gliding on a maneuverable path to its target.