Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth told Chinese Defense Minister Dong Jun during a Tuesday meeting that while the United States does not seek conflict with China, it will “resolutely” protect its interests in the Indo-Pacific region.
Chief Pentagon Spokesman Sean Parnell issued a statement following Hegseth’s call with the People’s Republic of China Minister of National Defense Admiral Dong Jun: “On September 9, Secretary of War Pete Hegseth spoke with China’s Minister of National Defense, Admiral Dong Jun. Secretary Hegseth made clear that the United States does not seek conflict with China nor is it pursuing regime change or strangulation of the PRC. At the same time, however, he forthrightly relayed that the U.S. has vital interests in the Asia-Pacific, the priority theater, and will resolutely protect those interests. Overall, the Secretary and Minister exchanged views in a candid and constructive manner. They agreed to further discussions.”
Hegseth warned Asian ally countries in June that China poses a “real” threat to the Indo-Pacific region.
“As our allies share the burden, we can increase our focus on the Indo-Pacific: our priority theater,” he said during the International Institute for Strategic Studies Shangri-La Dialogue.
“We share your vision of peace and stability, of prosperity and security and we are here to stay,” he added, explaining that the future for the region is “grounded in common sense and national interests.” Discussing China specifically, Hegseth noted that the country does not seek conflict with China, but it will also “not be pushed out of this critical region and we will not let our allies and partners be subordinated and intimidated.”
