Austin: US doesn't want conflict with China but won't 'flinch when our interests are threatened'

US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said Tuesday that China's claims and actions in the Indo-Pacific threaten the sovereignty of nations around the region while Washington is committed to building partnerships that guarantee the vital interest of all nations.

source https://www.cnn.com/2021/07/27/politics/us-defense-secretary-austin-asia-singapore-speech-intl-hnk/index.html