Chinese Defense Minister Deng Jun and Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth held a video call to discuss contentious issues between the countries. The main focus was on the situation surrounding Taiwan and the South China Sea.
Chinese Minister Deng emphasized the importance of openness and interaction between the armies of both countries based on equality and peaceful coexistence. He also warned against any attempts to use military force to support separatism or to contain China over the Taiwan issue.
'China always focuses on its own development and resolutely defends its legitimate rights and interests. Attempts to contain or intimidate China will not succeed, just as interference in the internal affairs of the PRC will not succeed,' emphasized Deng.
For his part, Pentagon Chief Pete Hegseth stated that the United States does not aim to conflict with China, but if necessary, will resolutely defend its national interests in the Indo-Pacific region. The talks took place amid rising tensions between the two countries regarding Taiwan's status and territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
As a result of the video call between the Chinese Defense Minister and the Pentagon Chief, key contentious issues related to the situation in the region, relations between the two countries, and further steps in peaceful interaction were discussed. The dialogue occurred against the backdrop of heightened political tension caused by territorial issues and differing views on some aspects of geopolitics.