The agreement establishes direct military contacts between the United States and China, aimed at reducing the risk of miscalculation and controlling escalation during crises. This announcement came shortly after US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth met Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun in Malaysia, signalling renewed diplomatic momentum between the two major powers.
Hegseth said both sides accepted that structured defence communication is essential to manage disputes and prevent accidental conflict. He linked the development to recent high-level engagement, noting that President Donald Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping in South Korea laid the groundwork for this renewed dialogue. Further technical talks will follow to determine the format and frequency of the communication mechanisms. No timeline was disclosed, but both governments acknowledged the need for them.
Despite the agreement, tensions remain visible. A day before the bilateral meeting, Hegseth criticised China’s behaviour in the South China Sea and reaffirmed Washington’s commitment to supporting Southeast Asian nations. He argued that Beijing’s actions have threatened regional sovereignty and stability. Speaking at regional defence meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Hegseth encouraged ASEAN defence leaders to strengthen maritime domain awareness and build shared response capabilities. He stressed that US technological support will be directed toward partners facing coercive pressure from China, stating that cooperation is necessary to ensure countries in the region are never isolated when confronted.
The announcement reflects a dual-track approach: pursuing crisis-management channels with Beijing while bolstering alliances to deter Chinese military pressure in contested waters.
