US and China to Set Up Direct Military Channels
The United States and China have agreed in principle to establish direct military-to-military communication channels aimed at preventing misunderstandings and escalation, according to US Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth. The announcement came after Hegseth held meetings with his Chinese counterpart, Dong Jun, on the sidelines of a regional security summit in Malaysia, following the recent summit between Donald Trump and Xi Jinping in South Korea.
What Was Agreed
Hegseth said the two countries “agreed that we should set up military-to-military channels to deconflict and de-escalate any problems that arise”. He described the current state of US-China relations as being at a high point. The new dialogue is expected to include mechanisms for crisis communications, operational coordination and increased transparency between their armed forces.
Broader Context
Military-to-military communication between Washington and Beijing has been disrupted in the past, notably after the former Speaker of the US House visited Taiwan in 2022, which led to Beijing suspending various defence dialogues. The new agreement signals an attempt to revive structured contact and avoid miscalculations, especially in the much-contested Indo-Pacific region.
Significance and Challenges
While the agreement represents a positive diplomatic step, experts caution that its success will depend on sustained follow-up, trust-building and clear protocols. Both sides will need to address underlying tensions such as China’s maritime claims in the South China Sea and US regional alliances. Proper implementation of the channels will determine whether this initiative becomes a meaningful tool for crisis management.
