Kuala lumpur: U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth expressed "serious" concerns over China's activities in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and toward its regional allies during his first in-person talks with his Chinese counterpart, Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun, in Kuala Lumpur. The Pentagon released this information following their meeting, which took place on the sidelines of a security forum.
According to Yonhap News Agency, Hegseth reiterated that while the United States does not seek conflict, it will "stoutly" safeguard its interests in the Indo-Pacific, a region he has termed America's "priority" theater. This meeting occurred during the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus, just a day after a temporary trade truce was reached between U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea. Concurrently, Trump announced a surprising directive to resume nuclear weapons testing.
The Pentagon's readout highlighted Hegseth's emphasis on maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region and his serious concerns about China's activities in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and towards U.S. allies and partners. Hegseth assured that the United States, though not seeking conflict, will continue to defend its interests and ensure it is well-prepared in the region.
Hegseth described his meeting with Dong as "constructive" and "candid," stressing the importance of military-to-military relationships and the tone set by President Trump and Chairman Xi Jinping. He acknowledged differences but noted that such constructive conversations could lead to better outcomes.
Regarding Taiwan, Hegseth affirmed that the U.S. position remains "unchanged." This follows a previous call in September where Hegseth assured Dong that the U.S. does not seek conflict, regime change, or the strangulation of China, while emphasizing U.S. "vital" interests in the Asia-Pacific.
In a related context, Hegseth met with new Japanese Defense Minister Shinjiro Koizumi in Tokyo, where he described the regional security threats as "severe" and "urgent," attributing them to China's military buildup and actions. Additionally, at a defense forum in Singapore, Hegseth characterized China as a "real" and "potentially imminent" threat, urging Asian allies to increase their defense spending.