US Defence Secretary ; Lloyd Austin on Thursday said that China’s pursuit of hypersonic weapons “increases tensions in the region,” and pledged that the US will retain its ability to deter potential threats from China.

Austin announced in Seoul following annual security talks with his South Korean counterpart, which focused on challenges from China and North Korea and other challenges facing allies.

“We have concerns about the military capabilities that the PRC continues to develop, and the pursuit of this increases tensions in the region,” Austin said, discussing the latest hypersonic weapon test in China in July, using the acronym People’s Republic of China. the official name of the country.

“It just underscores why we consider the PRC to be our pacing challenge,” Austin said. “We will continue to maintain the capabilities of the PRC to defend and defend against a range of potential threats to ourselves and our allies.”

China’s growing military power and its drive to end American dominance in Asia have raised concerns in Washington. The Chinese offensive was highlighted by a July test of a hypersonic weapon capable of partially orbiting the Earth before re-entering the atmosphere and gliding along a maneuvering path towards its target. Experts say the weapon system is designed to evade the US missile defense system, although China has insisted it is testing a reusable spacecraft rather than a missile.

Last month, General Mark Millie, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, said the US was also working on hypersonic weapons. But Washington is concerned that it is lagging behind China and Russia in developing these weapons. Russia said on Monday that its navy had successfully tested a promising hypersonic cruise missile at the last launch of its weapons system.

Concerning North Korea, Austin said he and South Korean Defense Minister Suh Wook discussed a wide range of topics, including bilateral unity in the face of threats from the North. Both agreed that North Korea’s advancement of its missile and other weapons programs “is increasingly destabilizing for regional security,” Austin said.

He added that the US and South Korea remain committed to a diplomatic approach to North Korea.