Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, late Saturday on the sidelines of a regional security meeting.

Pete Hegseth condemned China's actions in the South China Sea, pledged support to help Southeast Asian nations counter potential aggression.

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told China’s defense minister Friday that the U.S. will “stoutly defend its interests” in the Indo-Pacific region. Hegseth emphasized “the importance of maintaining a balance of power” in the region in his discussions with Chinese Adm.

Speaking at a meeting of ASEAN leaders in Malaysia, Pete Hegseth labelled Chinese actions in the disputed waterway "provocative" and said they show a lack of respect for their neighbours.

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth on Saturday took aim at Beijing over an increase in "destabilising actions" in the South China Sea and committed to support Southeast Asian countries with technology to help them respond jointly to Chinese threats.

U.S. War Secretary Pete Hegseth told his Chinese counterpart the U.S. will “stoutly defend" its Indo-Pacific interests during talks in Malaysia.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth was ridiculed over the weekend after a statement in which he announced closer cooperation with China and declared, "God bless both China and the USA!" Hegseth on Saturday took to social media to disclose the new stance toward a nation previously treated as an adversary by the administration.

US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth attends the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN)-United States Defence Ministers' High Tea, as part of the ASEAN Defense Ministers' mee

Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth called on Southeast Asia to strengthen cooperation in maritime surveillance including the use of unmanned technologies to counter what he said was worsening aggression by Beijing in the South China Sea.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth maintained Washington’s position on Taiwan and stressed the defense of U.S. interests in the Indo-Pacific region during a meeting with Chinese Minister of National Defense Adm.

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to Chinese and Indian officials at the ASEAN defense summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday, vowing to continue strong American engagement in the region.