Pentagon chief meets Chinese counterpart on sidelines of ASEAN defense talks
US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held talks with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of ASEAN
KUALA LUMPUR, Malaysia (AA) – US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth held talks with his Chinese counterpart Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defense Ministers Meeting Plus in Kuala Lumpur on Friday.
Hegseth described the exchange as “good and constructive,” saying he underscored Washington’s concerns about China’s growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and toward US allies in the Indo-Pacific region.
“I emphasized the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific,” Hegseth said on X.
“The United States does not seek conflict but will stoutly defend its interests while ensuring it has the capabilities to do so.”
He said the meeting followed a video teleconference between the two sides on September 9, adding that Washington and Beijing will “continue discussions on matters of mutual importance.”
The brief encounter marked another cautious step toward reestablishing military-to-military communication between the US and China, which had been largely frozen amid rising tensions over Taiwan and maritime disputes.
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