NEW DELHI, India — U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth spoke to Chinese and Indian officials at the ASEAN defense summit in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, on Friday, vowing to continue strong American engagement in the region.

In a post on X , he said he met with the Chinese National Defense Minister Adm. Dong Jun.

“It was a good and constructive meeting,” Hegseth said.

“I highlighted the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the Indo-Pacific and emphasized U.S. concerns about China’s activities in the South China Sea, around Taiwan, and towards U.S. allies and partners in the Indo-Pacific.”

Hegseth said the U.S. isn’t interested in conflict and wants “to stoutly defend its interests and ensure it has the capabilities in the region to do so.”

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