**U.S. and China to Establish Military-to-Military Communication Channels to Deescalate Tensions**
The United States and China have agreed to establish military-to-military communications channels aimed at “deconflicting and deescalating” potential issues, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth announced Saturday following a discussion with his Chinese counterpart.
In a post on X, Hegseth described his meeting with Admiral Dong Jun, China’s Minister of National Defense, as “positive,” coming shortly after President Donald Trump’s meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.
During their conversation, both defense leaders agreed that the best path forward for the U.S. and China involves “peace, stability, and good relations.” Hegseth shared, “Admiral Dong and I also agreed that we should set up military-to-military channels to deconflict and deescalate any problems that arise. We have more meetings on that coming soon. God bless both China and the USA!”
—
**Hegseth Urges ASEAN Leaders to Push Back Against Beijing’s Actions in the South China Sea**
Earlier on Saturday, Hegseth attended a separate meeting in Malaysia with defense leaders from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), where he encouraged them to resist Beijing’s aggressive actions in the South China Sea.
“China’s sweeping territorial and maritime claims in the South China Sea fly in the face of their commitments to resolve disputes peacefully,” Hegseth said, according to The Associated Press. He added, “We seek peace. We do not seek conflict. But we must ensure that China is not seeking to dominate you or anybody else.”
—
**South China Sea Disputes Remain Volatile**
The South China Sea remains a flashpoint with overlapping territorial claims by China, the Philippines, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Brunei. China’s maritime fleet has frequently clashed with the Philippines in the disputed waters. Recently, Chinese officials have labeled the Philippines a “troublemaker” for conducting naval and air drills alongside the U.S., Australia, and New Zealand.
During the ASEAN meeting, Hegseth defended the U.S. ally, criticizing Beijing’s designation of the Scarborough Shoal as a “nature reserve,” which the Philippines claims was seized by China in 2012. He described this move as “yet another attempt to coerce new and expanded territorial and maritime claims at your expense.”
—
Stay informed on this developing story as the U.S. and China work toward establishing clearer lines of communication to reduce tension in the region.
https://www.foxnews.com/politics/us-china-agree-open-direct-military-hotline-after-xi-trump-summit