US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Saturday urged Southeast Asian nations to stand strong against China’s increasingly “destabilising" actions in the South China Sea. He asked the nations to strengthen their maritime forces to counter threats and also ensured to share tools with “allies and partners."

The Pentagon chief was speaking at a meeting in Malaysia with his counterparts from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations. He cited incidents like the ramming of vessels and the use of water cannons and expressed US’ concerns over Chinese aggression in the disputed waters.

“You live it on the threats we all face from China’s aggression and course of actions in the South China Sea and elsewhere," Hegseth was quoted as saying by Reuters.

“We need to develop our joint capabilities to r

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