US and China to Establish Military Channels to Avoid Conflict

U.S. Secretary of Defence Pete Hegseth and Chinese Defence Minister Admiral Dong Jun have agreed to establish direct military communication channels aimed at preventing potential conflicts between the two nations. The decision was finalised during bilateral talks held on the sidelines of the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Malaysia.

Talks Focused on Deconfliction and Stability

Hegseth announced the initiative on Saturday, stating that the move seeks to prevent “misunderstandings or disagreements from spiralling into unintended conflict in the Indo-Pacific.” He revealed that he had engaged in back-to-back discussions with Admiral Dong, highlighting their shared commitment to peace and stability. Both defence leaders emphasised the importance of communication to de-escalate tensions, particularly amid rising regional disputes.

Revival of Military Dialogue After Years of Strain

The agreement marks a major step forward in U.S.-China relations, which have experienced prolonged communication gaps. Beijing had previously suspended all military dialogues with Washington following then-House Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s visit to Taiwan in 2022. Limited exchanges resumed under the Biden administration in late 2024, but formal structures for military-to-military communication had remained uncertain until now.

Regional Context and Strategic Significance

The proposed military channels come amid ongoing friction in the Taiwan Strait and the South China Sea, where China has been accused of aggressive manoeuvres against Philippine and U.S.-aligned vessels. Analysts view this development as a mechanism to reduce the risk of accidental confrontations in these contested waters. Hegseth described current U.S.-China ties as being in their “best phase ever,” crediting President Donald Trump’s recent meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping in South Korea for setting a “positive and lasting tone” in bilateral relations.

Exam Oriented Facts

• The U.S. and China agreed to establish military communication channels in November 2025.
• The talks took place during the ASEAN Defence Ministers’ Meeting-Plus in Malaysia.
• Military dialogues between the two countries were suspended in 2022 after Pelosi’s Taiwan visit.
• Admiral Dong Jun and Secretary Pete Hegseth will oversee the implementation of the new framework.

Future Engagements and Policy Outlook

Both sides have committed to holding follow-up meetings to detail communication protocols and operational frameworks. China’s Defence Ministry expressed its intent to build a “relationship based on equality, respect, and peaceful coexistence.” The initiative coincides with the U.S. Department of Defence’s upcoming National Defence Strategy, expected to signal a policy shift from confrontation toward cooperative stability in the Indo-Pacific.