KUALA LUMPUR (Reuters) -The United States will “stoutly defend its interests”, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth told Chinese counterpart Dong Jun during a meeting on Friday in Kuala Lumpur, flagging the importance of maintaining a balance of power in the region.

The meeting was the latest sign of gradually improving communications between the two sides, amid roiling regional tension and increased military deployments. It followed a teleconference call in September between the two.

In a post on X, Hegseth said he told the Chinese minister of national defence that the United States was concerned about China’s activities in the disputed South China Sea and around Taiwan, during a meeting he called “good and constructive”.

“We will continue discussions with the People’s Liberation Army on mat

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