Hegseth voices 'serious' concerns over China's activities in South China Sea, around Taiwan in talks with Chinese defense chief

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 in Kuala Lumpur on Friday, the Pentagon said. During the meeting with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun on the margins of a security forum, Hegseth also reiterated that the United States does not seek conflict but will "stoutly" safeguard its interests in the Indo-Pacific, a region that he has called America's "priority' theater. They met on the sidelines of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Defense Ministers' Meeting-Plus, a day after U.S. President Donald Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping reached a temporary trade truce during their talks in Korea, and Trump unveiled a surprise directive to begin nuclear weapons testing. "Secretary Hegseth highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific region. He emphasized serious U.S. concerns about China's activities in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and towards U.S. allieWeiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times Weiter zum vollständigen Artikel bei Korea Times