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Secretary of War Pete Hegseth held his first call with his Chinese counterpart, Admiral Dong Jun, on Sept. 9, in a conversation that comes as Beijing deepens ties with Moscow and Pyongyang while showcasing its own military might.

Pentagon chief spokesperson Sean Parnell said Hegseth "forthrightly relayed that the U.S. has vital interests in the Asia-Pacific, the priority theater, and will resolutely protect those interests."

"Hegseth made clear that the United States does not seek conflict with China nor is it pursuing regime change or strangulation of the PRC."

Parnell said the call, which occurred on Tuesday but was made public Wednesday, was "candid and constructive," and the defense chiefs agreed to further discussio

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