US, China Restart Military Channels; Hegseth Presses ASEAN

The United States and China agreed to restart military-to-military channels to deconflict and deescalate after U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth met Chinese Defense Minister Admiral Dong Jun on the sidelines of an ASEAN defense meeting following the Xi–Trump Busan summit. Hegseth said more meetings are planned and hailed improved military communication, but analysts cautioned that restoring contact is only an initial step and genuine trust remains distant. He pressed Beijing over activities in the South China Sea and around Taiwan and urged ASEAN nations to bolster maritime forces, joint surveillance and rapid-response capabilities to deter provocations. China responded cautiously, reiterating its longstanding position on Taiwan and urging the U.S. to match words with actions. On the same regional tour Hegseth sought deeper military cooperation with Vietnam, including potential arms sales and recent U.S. deliveries, and signed a 10-year defense framework with India to expand military and technological ties.