The U.S. Secretary of War emphasized during talks in Malaysia that Washington would “stoutly defend” its interests in the Indo-Pacific region, following meetings with Chinese and Indian officials. Pete Hegseth described his dialogue with Chinese Admiral Dong Jun as “good and constructive,” held on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations defense ministers meeting in Kuala Lumpur. He raised concerns over Chinese activities in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and toward U.S. allies.
Hegseth highlighted the need to maintain a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific, stating the U.S. “does not seek conflict” but will protect its regional interests. China’s defense ministry responded cautiously, reiterating its stance on the “unstoppable historical trend” of Taiwan’s reunification with China and urging the U.S. to exercise caution on the issue.
The meeting followed a September video call between Hegseth and Dong Jun, reflecting ongoing efforts to manage tensions despite strategic disagreements over Taiwan and freedom of navigation. Hegseth also met with India’s Defense Minister Rajnath Singh, signing a 10-year defense framework to expand military and technological cooperation. The agreement aims to strengthen U.S.-India ties, positioning New Delhi as a key partner against regional challenges.
Malaysia’s defense minister, Mohamed Khaled Nordin, criticized “grey-zone tactics” in the South China Sea, implicitly targeting Chinese activities, though he did not elaborate. Both Malaysia and the U.S. reaffirmed commitments to maritime security in the disputed waterway, where China claims nearly the entire region.
ASEAN defense ministers convened amid growing regional pressures, including cyber threats and tensions in the South China Sea. The discussions included dialogue partners such as the U.S., China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, and Russia.
