UPDATE 1-Chinese, U.S. military chiefs hold crisis communication, says China defence ministry

(Adds Pentagon comment)
BEIJING, Oct 29 (Reuters) - Chinese and U.S. military chiefs
held talks on crisis communication this week, amid heightened
tensions between the two military superpowers this year in the
South China Sea, with the United States denying a report on a
possible drone attack.
The exchange, days ahead of the U.S. elections, came as U.S.
Defence Secretary Mark Esper toured Asia with Secretary of State
Mike Pompeo where they had urged countries to cooperate with the
United States to confront the security threats posed by China, a
position China has criticised as a Cold War mentality and
zero-sum mindset.
The Chinese and U.S. militaries held a video conference
meeting about crisis communication on Oct. 28-29, Chinese
defence ministry spokesman Wu Qian said on Thursday.
According to Wu, Esper denied a media report about the
United States studying a plan to attack Chinese islands and
reefs in the South China Sea using an MQ-9 drone in the event
that the U.S. presidential election was not looking favourable
for President Donald Trump.
Esper said the United States "has no intention of creating a
military crisis with the Chinese," according to Wu.
"We urge the U.S. to walk the talk, keep its promise, and
take measures to prevent provoking China military in the air and
sea," Wu said, adding that China will resolutely counter-strike
if provoked with an attack at sea.
Both militaries will exchange views via video conferencing
on humanitarian aid in mid-November and on maritime security
before the end of the year, Wu said.
The Pentagon did not say if Esper specifically took part in
the talks, but said they were an opportunity to create
principles to "prevent and manage crisis and reduce risk to
forces."
"The two sides agreed on the importance of establishing
mechanisms for timely communication during a crisis, as well as
the need to maintain regular communication channels to prevent
crisis and conduct post-crisis assessment," a Pentagon statement
said.