Hegseth Slams China’s South China Sea Aggression, Pushes ASEAN Unity

KUALA LUMPUR- US Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on November 1 strongly criticized China for its military activities in the South China Sea. He called for collective regional efforts, such as crafting a shared maritime domain awareness platform, to counter these actions.

Hegseth made these remarks during a meeting with his counterparts from the 11-member Association of Southeast Asian Nations in Kuala Lumpur, which took place on the margins of the ASEAN Defense Ministers’ Meeting-Plus. He assured them that America does not seek conflict but must ensure that “China is not seeking to dominate you.”

The Secretary referenced his speech from the Shangri-La Dialogue in May, stating that China’s behavior toward its neighbors was a “wake-up call.” He asserted that in the months since, China’s destabilizing actions have “only increased.” He noted this was plainly visible, adding, “The world has seen it. It’s on videotape. Some of you have been on the receiving end of it,” according to Yonhap news agency.

Hegseth enumerated multiple cases of Beijing’s actions causing tension with neighboring countries that lay claims to the vital waterway. He cited specific instances: “Ramming and blasting water cannons at ships and baselessly claiming that there’s trespassing going on, unlawfully claiming jurisdiction over waters that are not theirs, attempting to regulate peaceful military actions by other nations.” He pointed out that these actions by China demonstrate a lack of respect for its neighbors.

He stressed that China’s sweeping territorial and maritime claims, based on the so-called ‘nine-dash line’ covering over 90 percent of the waterway, fundamentally contradict their commitments to peacefully resolve disputes with claimants like the Philippines, Vietnam, and Malaysia.

Hegseth emphasized the need to develop monitoring capabilities and swift response tools for maritime activities that threaten sovereignty. He proposed they commit to building shared maritime domain awareness, including in the South China Sea. This would create a common operating picture where “threats to one are known by all,” ensuring that any nation facing aggression is “by definition, not alone.”

The Secretary also addressed concerns that the Trump administration’s ‘America First’ policy might weaken U.S. security commitments to regional partners. He clarified, “We are implementing ‘America First.’ But ‘America First’ does not mean ‘America alone.’ It means with our allies and partners able to uphold stability, security, freedom of navigation, ultimately peace.” (IANS)