US defense secretary says war with China neither imminent nor unavoidable, stressing need for talks The Associated PressChina will ‘never be soft’ on foreign interference, PLA official warns South China Morning PostAustin reaffirms U.S. commitment to Indo-Pacific, says region is ‘more prosperous when we work together’ CNBCShangri-La Dialogue: Pentagon Chief Touts China Talks BloombergPentagon Chief Says War With China Neither Imminent nor Unavoidable The Wall Street Journal