Washington/Beijing, April 20 : US Defence Secretary Lloyd on Wednesday spoke with his Chinese counterpart for the first time since taking charge more than 15 months ago, the Department of Defence said. In the telephonic conversation with China’s minister of national defense Gen. Wei Fngheon both officials “discussed US-PRC defense relations, regional security issues, and Russia’s unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” the DOD statement read. Meanwhile, the Chinese defence department said that Wei had directly told Austin that Taiwan is part of China. According to Fox News, tensions over the issue flared last week when a bipartisan group of Congressmen traveled to Taiwan, representing one of the most high-level US delegations to visit the country. “China hopes to establish a healthy and stable relationship with the ted States, and [China] will protect its national interests and dignity. The US should not underestimate China’s resolve and capabilities,” the ministry said on its WeChat account. Sputnik quoted the Chinese defence official as demanding the US to “stop military provocations at sea and not use the Ukrainian issue to hurt, frame, threaten and pressure China.” RNJ