Hegseth Voices Concern Over China’s Naval Activity Near Taiwan

Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth voiced serious concerns in talks with Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun about Beijing’s naval activity around Taiwan and the South China Sea, citing its impact on US security partners in the Indo-Pacific.

The two had discussions for about 75 minutes Friday, according to a pool report of their meeting on the sidelines of a gathering of defense chiefs from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur.

Hegseth noted that while the US does not seek conflict, it will continue to defend its interests and maintain the capabilities needed to do so in the region, ...