Zhang Youxia

A senior Chinese military official warned the United States to stop "collusion" with Taiwan while top White House aide Jake Sullivan stressed the importance of stability in the tense Strait in a rare one-on-one meeting Thursday, both sides said.

Top Chinese and Russian officials warned Monday that foreign forces were seeking to sow turmoil in Asia and beyond as they opened an international defence conference in Beijing.

Beijing has billed this week's Xiangshan Forum as its answer to Singapore's Shangri-La Dialogue and says that representatives of 90 countries are taking part, including Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu.

China's defense minister has been removed from office after weeks of speculation that he would face the same fate as former foreign minister Qin Gang.

Li Shangfu has been sent to resign, the official Xinhua news agency reported, without giving reasons for this decision, the South China Morning Post wrote.