Pete Hegseth, the head of the Pentagon, accused Beijing of destabilizing actions in the South China Sea and promised technological support to ASEAN countries to counter the threats posed by "aggressive" China.

Pete Hegseth, the head of the Pentagon, has attacked Beijing for its destabilizing actions in the South China Sea, committing to support Southeast Asian countries with technology to counter Chinese threats. During the meetings in Kuala Lumpur, Hegseth emphasized the need for a common recognition of the maritime domain and accused China of disrespecting the territorial sovereignty of other nations. He mentioned that common response capabilities to Chinese aggression need to be developed. His remarks came after a joint military exercise by the U.S., Australia, New Zealand, and the Philippines in the South China Sea, which was criticized by Beijing. Hegseth reaffirmed the U.S. commitment to its allies in the Indo-Pacific, highlighting the importance of dialogue with China, but warned that its actions must be closely monitored.