China canceled the security talks with US Defense Secretary Jim Mattis  that had been planned for October, Reuters reported referring to a senior US official.  

His remark came days after a top Chinese official said there was no reason to panic over tensions between the countries.

The official, who is involved in China policy and spoke on condition of anonymity, said it was not clear if or when the meeting would be rescheduled. The cancellation of the meeting was first reported by the New York Times.

According to the official, it was not clear whether the cancellation was because of the broad range of disputes between Beijing and Washington on issues such as arms sales and military activity in the South China Sea and other waters around China.

“The tension is escalating, and that could prove to be dangerous to both sides,” the official said.

As reported earlier by Beijing sources, security talks may not take place because of tension in relations between the two countries.

The US President Donald Trump accused Beijing of trying to intervene in the November congressional elections to prevent him and his Republican Party from showing good results because of his approach to trade with China.