US Defense Chief Calls for ASEAN Unity Against China's South China Sea Ambitions

U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth urges ASEAN nations to unify and enhance their Navy capabilities to counter Chinas assertive actions in the South China Sea, crucial for regional stability.

• During a recent address, United States Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth called for increased naval cooperation among ASEAN nations, including the Philippines and Vietnam, to address territorial disputes in the South China Sea.
• Hegseth emphasized the need for a collective approach to deter Beijings growing assertiveness in the South China Sea, which has raised tensions with Malaysia and other Southeast Asia nations.
• The proposed enhanced regional cooperation includes improved surveillance and joint naval exercises, aiming to ensure freedom of navigation and counter provocations from China in the contested waters.