WATCH: Pentagon holds news briefing following meeting between Austin and Cambodian officials

The Pentagon held a news briefing following the meeting between Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and Cambodian officials.

Watch the briefing in the player above.

On Tuesday, Austin and leaders from Cambodia met in Phnom Penh about possibly strengthening defense ties and resuming joint military exercises. Cambodia is China’s closest ally in Southeast Asia and halted joint military exercises with the U.S. in 2017.

Austin met with Defense Minister Tea Seiha, Prime Minister Hun Manet and Senate President Hun Sen, the Pentagon said. Hun Sen, the former prime minister, is Hun Manet’s father.

The officials discussed ways to strengthen defense ties in support of regional peace and security, including through a resumption of military training exchanges, de-mining training, and Cambodian participation in U.S. military education programs, Pentagon Press Secretary Maj. Gen. Pat Ryder said in a statement.

Hun Manet said on Telegram that he and Austin discussed ways to resume cooperation, including Cambodian access to U.S. military education programs and joint military exercises between the countries.

READ MORE: U.S. defense secretary meets Cambodian officials to push for stronger ties with Chinese ally

PBS NewsHour will update this story as it develops.