U.S. and Chinese military officials this week held “frank, in-depth” talks on a variety of defense issues, the Pentagon announced on Wednesday. The virtual meetings were held on Tuesday and Wednesday between Michael Chase, U.S. deputy assistant secretary of defense for China, and Chinese Maj. Gen. Huang Xueping, Department of Defense Spokesperson Lt. Col. Martin Meiners said in a statement. “During the talks, the two sides held a frank, in-depth, and open discussion on a range of issues affecting the U.S.-PRC [People’s Republic of China] defense relationship,” Meiners said. “Both sides reaffirmed consensus to keep communication channels open.” The spokesman added that during the talks with China “the U.S. side also made clear our commitment to uphold shared principles with our allies and partners in the Indo–Pacific region.” The two-day video conference meetings were held two weeks after the announcement of the new AUKUS pact between the United States, Australia, …