The US Pentagon says it has contacted China to arrange a meeting between the two countries' defense chiefs when they attend an ASEAN gathering in Cambodia on Wednesday.

An in-person meeting between US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his Chinese counterpart Wei Fenghe would be the first since June.

Pentagon Press Secretary Pat Ryder said in a Monday statement, "Secretary Austin has frequently expressed the importance of keeping lines of communication open between the US and China." Ryder said Austin welcomes the opportunity to meet his Chinese counterpart should it take place.

A Chinese defense ministry spokesperson earlier said, "China holds a proactive and open attitude for exchange with the United States." The official said both sides were coordinating regarding an "exchange" at the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting-Plus.

US-China relations have soured over various issues, including Taiwan. US President Joe Biden and Chinese President Xi Jinping held their first face-to-face meeting last week. Biden said they agreed to continue talks between their governments.

Washington hopes to keep channels of dialogue open to avoid any unintended mishaps between the two countries.