US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin praises 'new era of security' in Asia-Pacific

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin hailed on Saturday (June 1) a "new era of security" in the Asia-Pacific region, as Washington strengthens its network of alliances aimed at countering China's growing military might and influence. Responding to Austin, Chinese Lieutenant General Jing Jianfeng accused the United States of seeking to build "an Asia-Pacific version of NATO", and described the superpower as the "greatest challenge to regional peace and stability".